Bharath Arun finds backing from Ravi Shastri as Bowling Coach

Recently appointed Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Ravi Shastri, wants Bharath Arun as the full-time coach alongside Zaheer Khan. Shastri believes that Arun is expected to play the role of the implementor while Zaheer blueprints the plans. Zaheer’s role will be that of a consultant and similar to the role of Rahul Dravid who is the batting consultant during the overseas tour.

As the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team, Shastri, therefore, expected to back Bharath Arun in the ranks as the full-time coach. The name of Jason Gillespie was mentioned during the meeting. Shastri wanted the services of Dizzy but it was entertained as he is directly contracted with Papua New Guinea currently. “Give me Jason Gillespie then,” said Ravi Shastri when a member of the CAC opposed the name of Arun as the coach.

Negotiations with Zaheer continues

The whole confusion came due to the availability issue of Zaheer Khan during his regime as the bowling coach. Zaheer has made it clear that he wouldn’t want to spend more than 100 days with the team. Hence, Team India requires full-time bowling coach. Therefore, Zaheer Khan’s association with Team India has not yet inked as negotiations are still on.

“Ravi has highest regards for Zaheer but he believes that a full-time bowling coach is required. Let Zak create a roadmap for bowlers and it will be Arun who will implement it. Ravi is expected to speak to COA on Saturday and make it clear that he would like Arun to join the team from Sri Lanka tour itself,” said a reliable source close to BCCI according to TOI.

BCCI has already kept Venkatesh Prasad’s name on standby but Shastri is expected to go after Arun like a tracer bullet. The only demerit for having Venkatesh Prasad is for the reputation he carried in his previous tenure for converting young fast bowlers in Medium line and length bowlers.