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[fineleg]

The man with the MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!

Ravi Shastri, who has been appointed cricket manager for the tour of Bangladesh, admitted that the BCCI's offer took him by surprise but said it was a good chance to contribute and felt he had the experience to do so.

Shastri, a television anchor with ESPN-Star Sports, confirmed his appointment on Saturday after settling his other contractual obligations. Later in the day the BCCI announced the appointment - on an interim basis for the tour beginning early next month - at a press conference after the working committee meeting.

"It did surprise me but, having said that, if you look at the state of Indian cricket at the moment, I thought it was a good time to put your hand up and asked to be counted," Shastri said in an interview to ESPN. "For the years you have played the game and the years you have been part of the media, I do believe I have the experience to contribute."

When asked about the sudden dip in form for the Indian side, Shastri believed that there was no need to panic as yet, and that the team has the ability to bounce back soon. "You are not going to change the team overnight and I do not believe this Indian team can be bad in seven days," he said. "I don't think this good Indian team can be a very good team in 14 days."

Shastri also welcomed the BCCI's decision to extend its working relationship with Greg Chappell, former coach, by offering him the post as director of the National Cricket Academy. Chappell made a presentation in the meeting suggesting measures to improve Indian cricket, which impressed Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president.

"His presentation was outstanding," Shastri said. "I am so happy that BCCI has offered Chappell a role in Indian cricket. The man has tremendous knowledge. He might not be happy with the way things have gone for the last year and half to two years. But I still believe he has still a lot to offer for Indian cricket."

Shastri was among seven former captains invited by the BCCI in Mumbai on Friday to suggest changes in the Indian cricket structure following India's early exit from the World Cup and coach Chappell's resignation. At that meeting, it was believed that he was the unanimous choice to succeed Chappell, given his good rapport with the Indian players. Shastri is also part of the Cricket Advisory committee set up by Pawar, which comprises seven former Indian captains.

[ruchir]

"His presentation was outstanding," Shastri said. "I am so happy that BCCI has offered Chappell a role in Indian cricket. The man has tremendous knowledge. He might not be happy with the way things have gone for the last year and half to two years. But I still believe he has still a lot to offer for Indian cricket."

I am surprised none of the elite have reacted to this quote!! Shastri has not been ripped apart, not being called a fool, blind, a "chappal-licker"... What happened?

[fineleg]

"His presentation was outstanding," Shastri said. "I am so happy that BCCI has offered Chappell a role in Indian cricket. The man has tremendous knowledge. He might not be happy with the way things have gone for the last year and half to two years. But I still believe he has still a lot to offer for Indian cricket."

I am surprised none of the elite have reacted to this quote!! Shastri has not been ripped apart, not being called a fool, blind, a "chappal-licker"... What happened?

Ruchir,
Perhaps, it (ripping apart) is in the planning stage?

[keep-it-cool]

HEAR HEAR. GO SHASTRI ...

[Poochandi]

It is known fact that along with GC he is one of the detrimental element for Kriket BCCI.
No surprises this guy singing praises another proven useless guy.
"Fools think alike"

[Prafulla]

I think - people will wait for his working relationship with Ganguly. That will decide, if RS is pro Chappel or anti Chappel.

[Libran]

"His presentation was outstanding," Shastri said. "I am so happy that BCCI has offered Chappell a role in Indian cricket. The man has tremendous knowledge. He might not be happy with the way things have gone for the last year and half to two years. But I still believe he has still a lot to offer for Indian cricket."

I am surprised none of the elite have reacted to this quote!! Shastri has not been ripped apart, not being called a fool, blind, a "chappal-licker"... What happened?

Equally surprised  that the "not-so-elite" have not responded to this 

http://www.cricketvoice.com/cricketforum2/index.php?topic=9687.0

[Libran]

I think - people will wait for his working relationship with Ganguly. That will decide, if RS is pro Chappel or anti Chappel.

I would tend to believe that when SG was out of the team...he was pro-GC...when SG came back, he was positive about SG's game....and he has been critical of the shot he played against BD...

So...current responses have been based on the circumstances rather than any hard-nosed approach to the individual...but history has it that he has been a staunch critic of SG...Comments during his debut at Lord's is folklore as is his comments when people were wanting SG back in the team after the WI and SA ODI disasters

[poondu]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/india/6538617.stm
 
New India coach seeks fun factor 

India's new interim cricket manager Ravi Shastri wants his players to start enjoying the game of cricket again.

"My endeavour is to see a happy Indian team," Shastri told CNN-IBN.

"Watching India playing in the last three to four months just gave me the impression that they were doing a nine-to-five desk job.

"They had huge weight and expectations on their shoulders. What I want to tell them is that this is sport and they should go out there and enjoy it."

Shastri, a one-time Test all-rounder who is now a TV commentator, will serve as the team's manager for a tour of Bangladesh next month after Australian coach Greg Chappell declined to renew his contract.

Defeats to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka left India out of the World Cup after the group stage. They had been expected to make the semi-finals at least, having won in 1983 and reached the final in 2003.

Shastri, 44, confirmed he would not be in charge of the side for the summer tour of England.

He said: "I love challenges, so, when I was asked whether I would put my hand up, I said yes. I never want to shy away from a challenge if I can help."

Shastri would like a young squad picked for the Bangladesh tour: "There's going to be a lot of cricket to be played by India in the next 12 months, so if you want to give youngsters an opportunity then do it early."

[CLR James]

"His presentation was outstanding," Shastri said. "I am so happy that BCCI has offered Chappell a role in Indian cricket. The man has tremendous knowledge. He might not be happy with the way things have gone for the last year and half to two years. But I still believe he has still a lot to offer for Indian cricket."

I am surprised none of the elite have reacted to this quote!! Shastri has not been ripped apart, not being called a fool, blind, a "chappal-licker"... What happened?

Nobody denied that GC might be an erudite thinker of the game. Coaching and man management require a different set of skills and a different temperament, which he obviously does not have (even the South Australians will testify to that). I am sure his presentation had a lot of good points...power points. Unfortunately these did not translate into plays.....power plays. The evidence is much too overwhelming to overlook the fact that he has been an unmitigated disaster as a team coach.

The consultancy job offer might be a good thing for Indian cricket. I am made to understand that GC is a very good one on one batting coach. If he is utilized by the BCCI in that capacity, it might yield much greater dividends. An out of form Raina or an upcoming Rohit Sharma can be sent during off season to spend a couple of weeks with him working in the nets. A YS can go to him from time to time to take his game to the next level, and even out of form seniors (names need not be mentioned) can take his help and advice to reinvent their batsmanship.