BCCI sets rule for aspiring selectors to prevent Shastri-Ganguly-like spat

Greater Noida: The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) ‘be present in person for interview’ clause for picking selectors has been born out of a strong desire to avoid a Ravi Shastri-like fiasco in the future. Clause 11 of selection criteria put up by the BCCI states “candidates should be willing to appear for personal interview”, indicating that the BCCI learnt its lesson from the controversy that broke in the aftermath of interviews for the Indian coach’s job. Shastri had appeared for his personal interview via video conferencing. [caption id=“attachment_3001732” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri (right). Image courtesy: News18[/caption] A reliable BCCI source in the know of things told PTI that they had kept the clause to avoid a similar situation. “What happened post chief coach’s interview (Shastri-Sourav Ganguly spat) could have been avoided but we would ensure that nothing like that happens this time. If someone is interested, he should appear for an interview irrespective of his stature,” said the source. While the Mumbaikar lost the chief coach’s job to former captain Anil Kumble, it started a war of words between Shastri and Ganguly, who was one of the interview panel members. “I expected Sourav to be present during my interview but he was not there,” Shastri had said then. Not one to take things lying down, Ganguly had then retorted: “If Ravi Shastri was so serious about the job, he should have been here (in Kolkata) appearing for the job and not give an interview while holidaying in Bangkok.” It is expected that the BCCI will get a sizeable number of CVs, now that selectors will be picked through open interview process. Meanwhile, the company that produces SG Test balls for first-class and Tests in India, has handed over the first set of pink ball consignment to the BCCI. It will now be sent to the National Cricket Academy for testing and the feedback report will be sought and accordingly improvisation will be done. It is still not clear though whether SG will be in a position to supply pink balls for the upcoming Ranji Trophy games. The outgoing senior selection committee has suggested that at least one match per round of Ranji Trophy be held with the pink ball.