In a new turn of events, Sourav Ganguly has hit back at Ravi Shastri after the latter accused the prince of cricket for walking out of his interview. Ganguly was one of the members of the Cricket Advisory Committee that included past cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. The committee was responsible for having Anil Kumble’s name in the 21-man shortlist despite having missed out on it initially. Shastri was quoted saying: "Nothing surprises me in Indian cricket anymore. A member of the committee (Ganguly) wasn't present and that was disrespectful to the selection process."
Shastri added: "A person was disrespectful of a candidate who he was going to interview. He was disrespectful to the job he was entrusted with." He continued: "Next time, be present in a meeting, especially when it is as important as this one."
Sourav Ganguly had other commitments
Sourav Ganguly initially did not want to get drawn into the tussle, but he eventually hit back at the former cricketer by saying: “Came here to this meeting, I got a message from Shirkey [Ajay] that the other two members are requesting if they could continue, which I was fine with. I said fine, I have been stuck with this, so you please go ahead and do it. That happens everywhere in the world and that's the exact story.” He added: "If he thinks I am responsible for him not getting the job, he's living in a fool's world."
The former KKR skipper also added: “He has made it personal”, in reference to Shastri’s comments. he added: “I am extremely saddened to hear that from Ravi yesterday.. I was reading it in a couple of newspapers in the last three or four days and chose to ignore it.”
The southpaw was clearly infuriated by Shastri’s remarks as he added: “I have an advice for Ravi, during the selection process he should be in front of the committee, and not in Bangkok.” He added: “I am extremely surprised & saddened by Ravi Shastri's comments.” He further added: “Extremely saddened when he went on air expressing his views, especially from someone who has been in every BCCI committee from the last 20 years. He has been in my position before.”
Sourav Ganguly or more passionately called ‘Dada’ by his fans is currently the honourable President of the CAB and also the President of the Editorial Board with Wisden India.
Around 57 applicants had applied for the role of head coach of the Indian National Team, with Ravi Shastri initially believed to be the favourite to land the job. He was the director of the national team for two years and took over from Duncan Fletcher after he left.
Anil Kumble was appointed by BCCI as the head coach of the National Team last week in what was a very surprising announcement. His first match in charge of the National Team will be when India takes on the West Indies on the 21st of July.
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