Sachin, Ganguly, Laxman unqualified to pick India coach: Sandeep Patil

Mumbai: Former India chief selector Sandeep Patil has slammed the BCCI-appointed Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) for the fracas that ensued before and after the appointment of Team India head coach Ravi Shastri.

The CAC, which comprises of legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, announced Shastri as the new head coach. He named former cricketers Zaheer Khan and Rahul Dravid as the bowling and batting consultants for India’s overseas tours.

However, Patil slammed the trio, saying that they are not qualified enough to pick the head coach of the Indian cricket team.

"I wouldn't even call it warped. I'd say it's all wrong," Patil told Mid Day. "Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman are absolute legends as players and have done great things for the country, but none of them have coached a team. Do coaches pick umpires and vice-versa."

The former Team India cricketer also went on to accuse the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of “passing the buck” with regards to Ravi Shastri’s appointment as the head coach of the Indian cricket team.

"It's like passing the buck, and a bit like saying, 'Look we have identified the next coach and now it's up to you.' Is this all done to play safe because of the Lodha Panel recommendations," he questioned.

While Ravi Shastri’s appointment did not come as much of a surprise as he was the favourite pick for the post, it was the announcement of Zaheer Khan as a bowling consultant on overseas tours that stirred up a lot of controversy.

According to reports, Shastri wanted experienced Bharat Arun as the bowling coach, but his request was not acquiesced by the CAC.