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New Delhi – Just a day earlier after offering Ravi Shastri a contract extension, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is willing to pay him Rs. 1.5 crore, along with additional perks per annum. Shastri who is the new India team director, has started his stint on a successful note after the visitors pocketed the bilateral ODI series against England 3-0, with a game to play.
The offered amount is more than the sum paid to seniors cricketers like skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his deputy Virat Kohli, who are in Grade A of BCCI’s annual contract.
However BCCI sources have confirmed that Ravi Shastri doesn’t want to go for a small contract with the Indian Board any more. The former Indian all-rounder is ready to look after this new responsibility if given a free hand for at least two years.
Shastri also wants BCCI to compensate him for his earnings which comes from his contracts as TV commentator & media columnist. As per sources ‘Shastri has informed BCCI not to expect any miracle against Australia in the upcoming Test series later this year. His focus will be revival of Indian team performance on foreign soil especially for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015.
Reports stated that Shastri also wants BCCI to offer regular contracts to his supporting hands in the tour; Sanjay Bangar and Bharat Arun. Moreover, Indian coach Duncan Fletcher and skipper MS Dhoni, also want Shastri to join the Indian team for a longer term. Though it is very unlikely that he will get the same designation as a team director in the management for a new professional relationship with BCCI.
Earlier, BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel, said it was premature to talk about Ravi Shastri‘s services being requisitioned as the Indian team director during the ICC World Cup 2015, following his successful stint in the same post in the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series in England.
“It’s premature to talk about this. Let this ODI series be over first. He was very gracious to accede to the BCCI’s request when we approached him after the Test series. He said he was always there for India and Indian cricket and accepted it without any preconditions.
“We will certainly compensate him for whatever he has lost by way of not fulfilling his contract as a TV commentator and media columnist,” Patel had informed.
Earlier, after India’s 1-3 Test series drubbing against England, the BCCI had decided to appoint former India captain Ravi Shastri to oversee and guide the team during he One-day International matches against England. Duncan Fletcher was given the nod to continue as head coach while Shastri was selected for an overall in-charge of cricket affairs.
The BCCI had also appointed Sanjay Bangar, former Indian all-rounder, and former India fast bowler Bharat Arun as assistant coaches of the team. R. Sridhar also joined the support team as the fielding coach for the one-day series.
