Ravi Shastri says Sourav Ganguly was not present when he was interviewed for India coach

Former Team Director Ravi Shastri has revealed that Sourav Ganguly, one of the panel members in the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), was not present during the time of his interview. Speaking to The Indian Express, the 54-year old also felt that he had left a ‘fantastic team in all formats’ for Anil Kumble.

The CAC comprising of Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Chief Coordinator Sanjay Jagdale were entrusted by BCCI to select the Head Coach for Team India. However, when Shastri was presenting his case from Thailand through video conferencing, Laxman and Jagdale were actually present at the Taj Bengal Hotel while Tendulkar joined the panel from London through Skype.

Shastri said, “Well, actually he (Ganguly) wasn’t there. That I can’t ask na. I responded to the questions asked and as I told you there was some good questions from the three and it was a great meeting.”

Ganguly, also the President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had to skip the interview as he was attending a Working Committee meeting in Kolkata. While Shastri’s time slot was given between 5 to 6 PM, Sourav could come out of the meeting only at 6 30 PM.

But, Ravi was satisfied with the selection process. He affirmed, “Meeting was great. Some great questions from VVS, Sachin and Sanjay. I put my way forward for the team. They wanted to know how do I plan to do well in all formats, how we should look at fast bowlers, and things of that sort.”

The veteran believed that Kumble would get to work with a well-oiled outfit. The all-rounder enthused, “I think Anil inherited a damn good team, a fantastic team in all formats. And his job would be to take it forward.”

He added, “I am proud of the boys and I would miss their company because I will treasure the joy and enjoyment they gave me in those 18 months. I am always there for them. That’s how I was even in the 23 years of broadcasting career. They know that.”

Shastri was not too flustered on not getting the opportunity and instead quipped, “I have been in the field for a long enough. That was yesterday. There is bright sunshine in Thailand today. So, get up, hit the beach and just chill.”