MUMBAI: Denied another stint as India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri has been embroiled in an ugly spat with former captain Sourav Ganguly, who was part of the panel which awarded the job to Anil Kumble last week.
The coach’s post was vacant since Shastri’s 18-month tenure as the team director ended with India’s semi-final exit at the World Twenty20 tournament on home soil earlier this year.
Shastri told the Indian media that Ganguly’s absence during his interview was disrespectful and he advised the former captain to be present at important meetings in the future.
“I just feel that the comments are very personal and if Ravi Shastri feels that I am responsible for him not being the coach of India, he’s living in a fool’s world,” Ganguly told television reporters in Kolkata.
“It’s a committee and there are people in the committee who are of more repute than I am and there are other people involved. So that’s disappointing.”
Ganguly said Shastri should also have made the effort to be present in person during his interview.
“Since he’s spoken about disrespect, and honestly I say this with anger,” Ganguly said.
“I have an advice for him also. When the coach of India is selected, and it’s one of the most important jobs in cricket, he should be in front of the committee giving his presentation and not sit in Bangkok on holiday and make a presentation on camera, especially when someone, who is one of the greatest cricketers of India all time (Anil Kumble), spoke for two hours nearly.”