Ravi Shastri appointed director of Indian cricket team

Ravi  Shastri.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday appointed former cricketer Ravi Shastri as director of the Indian team, which has been widely panned for its dismal performance in the ongoing series against England.

Shastri will now control and handle the team with its coach Duncan Fletcher reporting to him for the One Day International series against England. Shastri will also coordinate with chief selector Sandeep Patil and captain MS Dhoni.

"In culmination of the discussions among all the office-bearers of the BCCI over the last couple of weeks, the BCCI has decided to avail the services of former India captain, Mr Ravi Shastri, to oversee and guide the Indian cricket team for the forthcoming one-day international matches against England," BCCI said in a statement on Tuesday.

Bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding coach Trevor Penny have also been sacked. Sanjay Bangar and Bharat Arun have been appointed assistant coaches while R Sridhar has been made the fielding coach.

The BCCI's move to put an Indian on top of the team pyramid is unprecedented. During the 2007 World Cup, the BCCI had sacked coach Greg Chappell, making Shastri the interim coach for the next series against Bangladesh.

Here is the BCCI press release on Shastri's appointment:

RAVI SHASTRI APPOINTED DIRECTOR, INDIAN TEAM, FOR THE ONE-DAY SERIES AGAINST ENGLAND

In culmination of the discussions among all the office-bearers of the BCCI over the last couple of weeks, the BCCI has decided to avail the services of former India captain, Mr. Ravi Shastri, to oversee and guide the Indian cricket team for the forthcoming one-day international matches against England.  Mr. Duncan Fletcher will continue as Head Coach while Ravi Shastri will be the overall in-charge of Cricket affairs of the Indian Team.

In their continuing efforts to re-energise the support to the team, the BCCI has given a break to the bowling coach Mr. Joe Dawes and the fielding coach, Mr. Trevor Penney, for the one-day series, and appointed Mr. Sanjay Bangar, former Indian all-rounder, and former India fast bowler Mr. Bharat Arun as the Asst. coaches of the team. Mr. R. Sridhar will join the support team as the fielding coach for the one-day series.

Sanjay Patel

Hony. Secretary

BCCI