Big ‘mouthed’ Ravi Shastri gets it one back from Sourav Ganguly who questions Shastri’s credibility of giving an interview from Bangkok and then pointing finger at his absence at the time of the interview when he was available at the venue. Shastri may be a top television commentator but is a poor sportsman and washing dirty linen in public in a way is defaming Anil Kumble who got the job of coach on merit.
Ganguly is spot on when he says that Shastri is living in a fool’s world if he thinks he blocked his appointment and one wonders why he is silent on Sachin Tendulkar who too was on the panel along with V.V.S Laxman to select the coach. The job of the coach is to be focused with full commitment and Ravi Shastri had multiple business interest apart from he being vociferous which in a way was good that he was not considered for the job. Also, the non-controversial Anil Kumble not only has a great cricketing international record but is very popular among the present cricketers who respect him for his image and reputation. Sorry Ravi, you have lost the job on merit to somebody who outscores you on every parameter and you need to shut your mouth and unnecessary debate which is unhealthy for Indian cricket. On the other hand, Kumble should not be distracted from this unpleasant vibe among two former India captains and work towards building Team India to become a formidable squad in the coming days!
S.N. Kabra
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
