Ravi Shastri “open” to working for an IPL franchise after India tenure ends

Unlikely to apply for retention at the post of India’s head coach, former skipper and allrounder Ravi Shastri is “open” to working for an IPL franchise as he looks at a future where he will be more “selective” about his work commitments, stated Times of India in a report. Shastri, who has been working extensively […]
 
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Ravi Shastri “open” to working for an IPL franchise after India tenure ends

Unlikely to apply for retention at the post of India’s head coach, former skipper and allrounder Ravi Shastri is “open” to working for an IPL franchise as he looks at a future where he will be more “selective” about his work commitments, stated Times of India in a report.

Shastri, who has been working extensively in various capacities for the best part of 42 years, now wants to “slow down” in life, the report mentioned.

The 59-year-old Indian cricket giant is expected to return to the commentary box where his voice still resonates with the world but he will also be willing to take up short-term coaching assignments, including in the IPL.

“He’ll be selective. He’ll be open to working with an IPL franchise. Year-round travel is something he would like to avoid now,” say those who have his air, as quoted in the TOI.

Also Read REPORTS: Rahul Dravid Confirmed As India’s Head Coach Till 2023, Paras Mhambrey Bowling Coach

Ravi Shastri “open” to working for an IPL franchise after India tenure ends
Ravi Shastri “open” to working for an IPL franchise after India tenure ends

Ravi Shastri’s India tenure comes to a close with the end of the T20 World Cup.

Ravi Shastri unlikely to reapply for India head coach’s role

Ravi Shastri’s extended and immensely successful tenure with the Indian team comes to a close with the T20 World Cup in UAE. The man is unlikely to reapply for the post, although a detail in the eligibility criteria makes it possible for him to do so.

Even though Shastri will be ineligible to hold the post by May 2022 when he turns 60, the BCCI criterion for all candidates says, the person applying for the post “should be below 60 years of age at the time of appointment”. But that is improbable now, as is the likelihood of bowling coach Bharat Arun, who is 58, reapplying for his post.

TOI report said, like Shastri, Bharat is also looking to move on after an incredible contribution towards the Indian pace attack’s ascent and would be eyeing an IPL gig with a franchise next year. Likewise, fielding coach R Sridhar, aged 51.

The only member of the existing support staff who is likely to reapply for his post or that of the head coach is batting coach Vikram Rathour. Rathour had joined the support staff back in August 2019 and has gradually helped India’s batting unit, including the lower-order, improve. His connection with the top players in the side also augurs well for his case.

But Rathour wouldn’t get the head coach’s role given the speculation and reports that former India captain and current NCA head Rahul Dravid has agreed to submit his application to the BCCI following extensive discussions with the board’s top officials.

Dravid, previously the India ‘A’ & U-19 coach, has always been a hesitant man when it comes to applying for the head coach’s role. But ever since going as the head of the support staff with an alternate white-ball Indian squad to Sri Lanka in July, his name has been touted as a frontrunner to replace Ravi Shastri at the helm of affairs.

If Dravid does apply for the post, the BCCI, who pushed the case with him at the first place, will have no issues in appointing him officially for a two-year stint lasting till the 2023 World Cup in India.

As for Ravi Shastri, one of the things to look forward to is his commentary stint post the T20 World Cup. “He’ll be welcomed with a red carpet (in the comm box),” say industry executives as per TOI. “Tell me a voice that is more identifiable than his.”