NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has been reappointed as head coach of the men’s cricket team, a cricket board selection panel announced Friday.
Publicly backed by Indian captain Virat Kohli, 57-year-old Shastri was always the frontrunner.
He saw off competition from former Indian all-rounder Robin Singh, former team manager Lalchand Rajput, former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson, Australian cricket coach Tom Moody and former West Indies coach Phil Simmons.
Simmons had backed out of the interview last minute, news agency PTI reported.
The remaining candidates were interviewed by a three-member cricket advisory committee panel which included World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev, ex-national coach Anshuman Gaekwad and ex-women’s team captain Shantha Rangaswamy.
Dev announced the decision at a Friday press conference.
After missing out on the coach’s job to Anil Kumble in 2016, Shastri was selected as the team’s head coach a year later for a term extending to the end of the 2019 World Cup.
He was given a 45-day extension for the current West Indies tour.
Shastri coached India to a historic first-ever test series win in Australia earlier this year following Test losses in South Africa and England.
Since he took the job, India have won 13 Tests out of 21, 25 out of 36 T20 matches and 43 out of 60 ODIs.
Shashtri was an all-rounder best known as part of the India’s World Cup-winning squad in 1983 and his man of the series performance in India’s World Championship triumph in Australia in 1985.
He was also team director from 2014 to 2016.
Shastri played 80 Tests and 150 one-day internationals for India before becoming a successful TV commentator.
Ravi Shastri reappointed India’s cricket coach
Ravi Shastri reappointed India’s cricket coach
- Publicly backed by Indian captain Virat Kohli, 57-year-old Shastri was always the frontrunner
- Phil Simmons had backed out of the interview last minute
Morocco reach Arab Cup final by defeating UAE
- Defense, organization again prove crucial for victors
- Jordan, Saudi Arabia contest second semifinal
DOHA: Morocco booked their place in the Arab Cup final with a commanding 3-0 victory over the UAE on Monday, extending their impressive defensive record in Qatar.
The Atlas Lions once again showcased their organization and composure at the back as they took control of the semifinal and capitalized clinically at the other end.
Morocco opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark when Karim El-Berkaoui rose highest to head home Hamza El-Moussaoui’s cross, a breakthrough that reflected their growing dominance.
True to form, taking the lead proved decisive for a side that have been nearly impenetrable throughout the tournament, with their only concession so far coming via an own goal in their opening match.
The UAE struggled to find space through the middle and were largely restricted to long-range efforts and hopeful deliveries into the box, all of which were comfortably dealt with by central defenders Soufiane Bouftini and Marwane Saadane.
Morocco added the finishing touches late on as their substitutes combined to decisive effect.
Abderrazak Hamdallah turned provider for Aschraf El-Mahdioui, who finished calmly from close range, before Hamdallah capped the performance by converting Mohamed Boulacsout’s cross to seal the result.
Morocco will now await the winner of the second semifinal between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which takes place later on Monday at Al-Bayt Stadium.
