‘Didn’t force Zak, Rahul upon Shastri’
RETORT After media questions CAC’s role, legends write to BCCI clarifying their intentions regarding appointments
MUMBAI: After the media storm over the appointment of Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as the bowling and batting consultants of the Indian team, the Cricket Advisory Committee members have taken up the matter with Committee of Administrators and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, asking them to clarify the impression created against their intentions to appoint the two alongwith chief coach Ravi Shastri.
Upset with how their selection of Zaheer and Dravid as consultants with the Indian cricket team has been portrayed, the three members of the CAC, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, have written separate letters to the head of the COA, Vinod Rai, and the acting secretary of the BCCI, Amitabh Choudhary.
The three legends have taken exception to the fact that their decision to appoint Zaheer and Dravid has been spoken about as CAC exceeding their brief. “There have been suggestions that the CAC has exceeded its ambit in going with Mr Khan and Mr Dravid, and these two legends of Indian cricket have been foisted on the head coach. It has both pained and disappointed us therefore, to see the light in which the CAC has been portrayed in various sections of the media,” protested one of the legends in a strongly-worded letter.
“While we all know that none of these reports are true, it is out in public domain and it is imperative that the cricket-loving public at large is made aware of the reality. We could do it ourselves, of course, but we don’t want to further queer the pitch. So, we would respectfully request you to clear the air and the set the record straight in this regard,” he wrote.
“The three of us played our cricket with great integrity, and we have brought that same trait in fulfilling this important responsibility bestowed upon us by th BCCI. While we are not looking for plaudits, we do not appreciate the tone and the falsehoods of some of the narratives,” said Sachin Tendulkar.
“You (Rai/ Choudhary) will be aware that we put out heart and soul into the process, approaching a task made delicate by the recent developments with a clear head and with the sole aim of providing the Indian team with the best resources possible to become the world-beaters they are capable of being.
“We also bring to your notice the mail you had circulated to us saying that we had absolutely free hand in picking the coach of the Indian cricket team. Also, we did inform you over the phone along with Rahul Johri and Amitabh Choudhary of all that transpired immediately after the meeting was over,” one of the letters stated.
In an interview to a newspaper, chief coach Ravi Shastri stated that he should be entitled to select his own support staff. Shastri has made his intentions clear of wanting Bharat Arun in the capacity of the bowling coach.
After the protest letters from the CAC, the BCCI sent a clarification that Zaheer and Dravid will be “batting and bowling consultants on overseas tour-to-tour basis, as per the requirement of the team”. In the original release, Zaheer was the bowling coach.
The BCCI release further stated: “The three members of the committee – Mr. Sourav Ganguly, Mr. Sachin Tendulkar and Mr. VVS Laxman – have executed the assigned task with total transparency, professionalism and commitment to Indian cricket.”