Ravi Shastri talks about the India coach selection process

Ravi Shastri, ex-director of the Indian cricket team lost out to legendary spinner Anil Kumble for the position of the Indian team head coach last week. He was understandably pretty disappointed to not have won the position despite publicly expressing his desire. After vacationing in Bangkok, Shastri sat down with the Times of India to speak about his disappointment, the selection process for the coaches and the time he spent with the team.

Upon being asked how disappointed he was after he missed out on the job, he said: “My disappointment was there for a day and that is all. And it happened last week. I have moved on.”

When asked if the board was ready to give him an extension due to which the selection process for a new coach begun, he said: “That is BCCI 's headache, not mine.” He was further asked if Anil Kumble’s appointment was already planned, he replied: “Again, I am no one to answer that. My job was to prepare a team. I was able to do it with the best of ability. Right now, India are among the top two teams in world cricket in all formats.”

The former cricketer was in high hopes of landing the role of the new head coach in a battle which consisted of more than 50 applicants. It was said that Kumble’s name was not in the initial 21 names shortlisted, but upon the request of the Cricket Advisory Committee that consisted of Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly, the former spinner was included in the 21-man shortlist.

Ravi Shastri was director of cricket for two years

When asked to reflect on his time as team director, Shastri said: “I had a dream run with the team for 18 months. In the next three years, we are in the process of achieving more. I am also happy that the talented team was able to achieve quite a lot of things during my tenure.” He further added: “Starting from becoming the No. 1 Test team in the world to doing well in ODIs and T20s in England and Australia, we played good cricket. We need to be consistent with bowling a bit and with Anil Kumble at the helm, I am sure our bowling will improve in the days to come.” Shastri also added that he thoroughly enjoyed his time as director and that he has no regrets.

Upon being asked why Ganguly walked out while he was being interviewed, he said: “All I can say is that Ganguly wasn't there when I was interviewed and you should ask what problem Ganguly has with me instead of asking me.”

Asked if he would still help Indian cricketers if they needed, he said that he would always be ready to help the players. As for now, he says he will be taking a break from cricket and will go to the West Indies towards the end of July only to celebrate the 80th birthday of Gary Sobers.