Sitting side-by-side in the commentary box or presenting their views together during the post-match shows, former star Indian players in Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri have surely combined well for the host broadcaster’s team in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 final. However, an ugly verbal fight between the two, involving overt finger pointing at each other had dominated the media headlines in the year 2016.
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It all had begun when BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) were on with their coach selection process for the senior Indian men’s cricket team. A three-member Cricket Advisory Committee involving big names in Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS Laxman were supposed to interview the candidates for the post.
Shastri, who had been serving as India’s director for the preceding 18 months, had also applied for the coveted post. However, he was miffed when Ganguly was not present during his turn for the interview and presentation.
Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri Controversy
During an interaction with India Today, Shastri expressed his anger while stating that the absence of a member of the committee was disrespectful to the entire head coach selection process. The former all-rounder even explicitly went on to advise Ganguly to be present in a meeting which holds such importance.
“Nothing surprises me in Indian cricket anymore. A member [Sourav Ganguly] of the committee wasn’t present and that was disrespectful to the selection process. Next time, be present in a meeting, especially when it is as important as this one.”
It is noteworthy, that Shastri’s above comments were made after he was rejected for the head coach’s post. In fact, former India captain Anil Kumble, who had arrived at the interview venue with a detailed presentation, was ultimately considered the fitting individual for the role.
Shastri, on the other hand, was interviewed online as he was vacationing in Bangkok when the selection process was taking place.
Ganguly Hits Back At Shastri; Clarifies Reason For Absence During The Interview
Ganguly was clearly not amused with Shastri’s remarks, and not only made sure to offer a clarification on the matter but also hit back at him with a similar personal attack.
The former Indian captain, who was also the president of CAB ( Cricket Association of Bengal) at the time, revealed he had informed the BCCI well in advance that he had to chair CAB’s Working Committee Meeting that very day.
“I had informed BCCI that there was a CAB Working Committee meeting that day. Being a president of CAB, I had to chair the meeting. Also the notification for a Working Committee is always given 14 days in advance whereas this meeting was fixed two days in advance.”
Ganguly also added that while Shastri’s interview was scheduled to take place at 04:15 PM that day, the entire process had meant that his turn arrived past 05:00 PM. Thus, he had left only after consultation with the then BCCI secretary (Ajay Shirke) and the other two members of the advisory committee.
“Shastri Living In Fool’s World” – Ganguly
Not holding back, Ganguly also questioned Shastri’s seriousness with respect to his interview. He remarked that while interviewing for a post as massive as India’s head coach, Shastri should have been present before the committee rather than offering a verbal presentation while holidaying outside the nation.
Furthermore, Ganguly even remarked that he had no role to play in rejecting Shastri for the concerned position. Therefore, if the personal comments at him were made due to this very reason, “he is living in a fool’s world”.
“It angers me that he gave a suggestion that I should be available for such meetings. My advice to Ravi [Shastri] is that when the coach of India is selected and one of the most important jobs, he should be in front of the committee and not sit in Bangkok and give a presentation while being on a holiday. I just feel his comments are very personal. If Ravi Shastri feels that Sourav Ganguly was responsible for him not being the India coach, he is living in a fool’s world.”
While there remained an atmosphere of tension between the two for quite some time, Shastri, later (in 2021), rubbished the rumours of a rift with Ganguly and remarked that they have always had a mutual respect for each other.
