Ravi Shastri's will be backdoor entry as India head coach: Sudhir Naik
Sudhir Naik
Sudhir Naik, the former India opening batsman, who had a tiff with Ravi Shastri in 2015, reckons if Shastri ends up being India's new head coach, it can be termed as a backdoor entry.
Shastri, who declared yesterday that he would be applying for the head coach's post, reportedly had some harsh words for Naik, who prepared the batting-friendly Wankhede Stadium pitch for the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa on October 25, 2015.
Ravi Shastri
Yesterday, Naik expressed his reservations over Shastri's candidature. "To appoint Shastri at this point is just like a backdoor entry… it is certainly a backdoor entry! It's a pity that good coaches like Anil Kumble don't seem to be wanted," Naik told mid-day yesterday.
Naik, who led Mumbai to a Ranji Trophy triumph in 1970-71 when five regulars (Ajit Wadekar, Dilip Sardesai, Ashok Mankad, Eknath Solkar and Sunil Gavaskar) were touring West Indies with the India squad, said: "If these players are not listening to Kumble, who played such a high level of cricket, is intelligent and dished out a stupendous performance, how can they pay attention to another coach," said Naik.
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He wanted the Indian cricket board to get tough with the players after what happened to Kumble. "The BCCI should make it clear that the coach is the boss and all players should listen and follow his instructions," stressed the 72-year-old Naik.
Naik also felt that if players are not going to respect the coach then let Kohli be the boss: "If players don't respect a person like Kumble, then I don't think this team needs a coach. Let Kohli be the boss. Anyway, we are playing in the West Indies without a coach and things can continue like that."
Ravi Shastri
Back to the Shastri-Naik showdown, Shastri was very upset over the nature of the track on which South Africa amassed 438 runs for four in 50 overs. Three South African batsmen scored hundreds — Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers.
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India responded poorly and were bowled out for 224 with Ajinkya Rahane top-scoring with 87. Shastri is believed to have said, "Great wicket, Sudhir" and followed up with an expletive when he turned around. Naik apparently asked him not to teach about preparing wickets and he had played for India as well.
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