MUMBAI: Named as Indian team’s director after a forgettable Test series in England, former Test cricketer Ravi Shastri played a key role, acknowledged by several players, in the following ODI series.

India badly lost the Test rubber 3-1 but clinched the five-match ODI series 3-1 and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) reportedly wants Shatri to continue the good work till the 2015 World Cup.

According to a source-based report in the Times of India, BCCI officials regard Shastri as a crucial reason for India’s turnaround in England and that his communication skills and expertise as coaching director is invaluable.

“He [Shastri] took charge at a very short notice and made a huge difference. If he stays on, it will be a big boost for our team. We will sit with him and discuss how to take it forward,” the report says.

Interestingly though, the report says coach Duncan Fletcher is also likely to remain.

Shastri has previously supported Fletcher and had indicated that he would speak positively about the Zimbabwean in his report to the BCCI.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2014