BCCI appoints Ravi Shastri as India's head coach

E-Paper | April 24, 2026

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday named former captain Ravi Shastri the new head coach of India, ending weeks of speculation over the high-profile job after Anil Kumble's dramatic exit.

The BCCI also appointed ex-paceman Zaheer Khan as the bowling coach and Rahul Dravid as the batting consultant for overseas tours.

“The term of the appointments will be till the World Cup 2019,” the BCCI said in a release.

Shastri, 55, was among five high-profile candidates interviewed on Monday for the post left vacant by ex-Test captain Anil Kumble, who resigned amid difficulties over his relationship with Kohli which he described as “untenable”.

An advisory committee of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman had been tasked with selecting the new coach to head the Test team.

Earlier, speculation had been rife that Shastri, who served as India's team director between 2014 and 2016, is on friendly terms with Kohli and would therefore get the nod.

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Qadir ali

Jul 11, 2017 11:10pm

Tendulkar is the best choice...

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Rasheed PAsha

Jul 11, 2017 11:22pm

No good for India, India needs young blood

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Nitin

Jul 11, 2017 11:36pm

I hate kohli for backing shastri who is alcoholic and irresponsible person

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The_Truth

Jul 11, 2017 11:48pm

There is a very little margin for Shastri and company onwards because this appointment hasn't got under the throat of people well. If they won't be able to perform then expect the agitation from the people. By the way Best of luck. Hope you do well.

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Muhammad

Jul 11, 2017 11:58pm

Zaheer khan is great bowler. He will coach the team in good way.

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Buzz

Jul 12, 2017 01:03am

An advisory committee of junior players selecting a senior player as coach ...

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Ripan

Jul 12, 2017 01:13am

Sad day for Indian cricket

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Arvind

Jul 12, 2017 01:22am

Ravi excellent choice

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Sid

Jul 12, 2017 01:33am

Bad choice and I forsee the decline of Indian cricket now. Ravi is all but a big talker ( good for commentary). Zaheer and Rahul though are good choices as bowling and batting consutants. But Rahul is very much in the mold of Kumble -perfectionist, discipline and hardwork. After champions trophy Dravid clearly pointed out Dhoni and Yuvi must go. Funny to see how alter ego of Kohli gets along with Dravid and to put the icing on the cake, another alter ego of Ravi Shastri on top. What are Ganguly, VVS and Sachin thinking. All in all looks like Viraat chose his coach.

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izharulhaqadeeb

Jul 12, 2017 03:03am

BCCI has faced a situation unprecedented. Sehwag was tipped for the job. Now Shastri because of his all round experience has replaced kumble. I do not see any talent improvement was their aim. They.wanted a sweet and serene person to handle the job, which Kumble was not. Madan Lal had been on this job in torrid times successfully and building some batting assets. There is no dearth of such people in Indian camp. Defeat in CT 2017 at Oval by Pakistan was not of any consequence for this change. The differences alredy were ripe when team India had not left for UK.

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Ben

Jul 12, 2017 06:03am

BCCI hired a politician instead of a seasoned cricketing expert. Not a huge surprise from a highly politicized entity. Only Dravid's appointment can be justified. Zaheer was never a match winning bowler and lacked technical skills as well as a consistent under performer. But Ravi's appointment is icing on the cake. Extremely questionable decision.

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Bihari Babu

Jul 12, 2017 08:47am

Expected. He has the right contacts in BCCI. He will make big money. Nothing much to talk about his Cricketing achievements either as a player or a coach. Virat Kohli should be ashamed of what he did to the great Anil Kumble.

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S Chatterjee

Jul 12, 2017 08:55am

Nicely covered the news. The composition of coaches shows unity among diversity.

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leoman

Jul 12, 2017 11:15am

It means the cricket teams are led , supported and run by a another team of head coaches ,instructors, consultants, and what not . Wow, They can not play without the involvement of a huge amount of money and a big number of guides,coaches,instructors and consultants. And above all, all these must be obedient to the captain first.

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Divakar

Jul 12, 2017 11:32am

@Sid : You are right. I bet Dravid won't continue in that position for long if anything comes in the way of his job.

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Gaurav

Jul 13, 2017 11:46am

Now forget 2019 WC.

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