While Ravi Shastri was the head coach of Team India, the side took giant strides to become one of the best traveling teams in the game. While an ICC title always eluded the Indian team under Shastri, the side registered memorable series wins over Australia Down Under, and also churn out strong performances in England and South Africa, while registering limited-overs series wins in New Zealand.
Ravi Shastri decided to discontinue his role post the T20 World Cup 2021, which followed a chaotic few months for Indian cricket; while Virat Kohli was sacked as the ODI skipper, the star batter decided to change his boost as the Test captain as well. Kohli also had a fallout with then-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, and there were reports that the board chief was also present in selection meetings throughout his tenure.
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It has been over a year since then, and Ravi Shastri has finally revealed the details of the selection meetings that used to take place during his tenure. The former head coach revealed that he has never been a part of one, but recalled that the meetings were attended by many who were “not supposed” to take part.
Revealing the insights about the selection meetings during a chat with ESPNCricinfo, Ravi Shastri said, “I have zero first-hand experience. In the seven years I was part of the team, I never went near a selection meeting. I wasn’t invited either. I think, in the long run, yes. As a coach, you spend a lot of time with the boys, it’s important; not in the voting capacity, but at least to hear what’s the selectors are thinking, what’s their train of thought.”
He further added, “And then, to decide what the right thing for the side. I have zero idea how it starts, and how it finishes, and who are there in the meeting. From what I gather, there were a lot of people over the last 3-4 years inside the selection meetings, who were not supposed to be there. It’s against the constitution.”
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Sourav Ganguly’s tenure as the BCCI president ended in October last year with Roger Binny succeeding the former captain in the role. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma has been performing the role of the full-time captain in all formats last year before Hardik Pandya began to lead the Indian team in T20Is at the start of 2023. Both Rohit and Kohli weren’t part of any of India’s two T20I series this year.
