How much autonomy will Ravi have at helm?

New Delhi, July 12: A surprise decision by India’s cricket board to appoint two high-profile stars to assist new coach Ravi Shastri has some experts wondering how much autonomy the former all-rounder will wield at the helm. The cricket board ended months of speculation on Tuesday in naming Shastri to replace Anil Kumble, who resigned as head of the world’s top Test side following a bitter fallout with skipper Virat Kohli.

Shastri’s appointment was widely expected but the board’s decision to name ex-players Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as bowling and batting consultants raised eyebrows.

Traditionally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India allows the head coach to pick support staff and the break with convention did not go unnoticed.

Shastri, 55, edged out a host of high-profile contenders for the top job, including Virender Sehwag, Australia’s Tom Moody, Englishman Richard Pybus and former India manager Lalchand Rajput.

Speculation had been rife that Shastri, who served as India’s team director between 2014 and 2016, would get the nod, especially given his friendly ties with Kohli.

“If Dravid batting consultant and Zaheer bowling coach, is Shastri more “team director” again?” wrote leading Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle on Twitter. Cricketer-turned commentator Aakash Chopra suggested Shastri’s new role differed little from his old one, saying: “only the designation changes!” Reports suggest that although the CAC appointed Shastri as the head coach, Ganguly, had to be convinced of the decision, and only agreed to the appointment, on conditions that Zaheer be appointed as the bowling coach, while Dravid be appointed as a batting coach (or consultant) for the overseas tours. Shastri is said to have wanted experienced bowling coach Bharat Arun.