Zaheer Khan's role in the Indian Team, like Dravid's, tour specific

Hardly 48 hours after the announcement of the new set of coaches of Indian Cricket Team, BCCI came out to state that Zaheer Khan would play the role of a consultant only during specific away tours, much like Rahul Dravid’s role with Indian batting. The Committee was in negotiations with the former Indian pacer as the latter admitted that he could not chalk out more than 100 days with the Indian Team.

Previously, Ravi Shastri was made the head coach of the Indian Team and wanted Bharath Arun to take the role of the bowling coach. The name of Jason Gillespie was also taken by Shastri when one of the members of CAC did not agree with Arun as the bowling coach. It is expected that Shastri would leave no stone unturned to include Arun within the ranks. Shastri expects that Zaheer Khan would lay the blueprint of the plans while Arun would be involved with the execution.

Zaheer more of a consultant than coach

“BCCI expresses its sincere gratitude to the members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) who most willingly agreed to undertake the process of selection of the Head Coach of the Indian Cricket Team. The three members of the committee have executed the assigned task with total transparency, professionalism and commitment to Indian cricket,” said BCCI in its press release according to TOI.

“The recommendation for Mr Ravi Shastri was made on the merit of his presentation and the vision that he projected for taking the team to greater heights. After taking the decision on his selection, the CAC consulted him and decided on having Batting and Bowling consultants on an overseas tour-to-tour basis, as per the requirement of the team. The BCCI wishes to thank the CAC for the selfless pro bono service rendered to assist the Board in the selection process of India Cricket Team’s Head Coach,” added the release.