Ravi Shastri clarifies Sourav Ganguly’s “Bangkok holiday” comment

Ravi Shastri had earlier advised Sourav Ganguly to be present for such important assignments in future and as a part of counter advice, the Bengal tiger roared stating Shastri shouldn't be holidaying in Bangkok when called for an important interview.

Earlier this week, Indian cricket saw two of their former captains and larger than life personalities getting involved in an unnecessary war of words. Ravi Shastri openly spoke about Sourav Ganguly’s absence from the interview panel when the former gave his interview from Bangkok.

It all started when Shastri, who served Team India as the Director for almost close to two years, was not selected as Indian coach despite applying for the job. Though Shastri congratulated the new coach Anil Kumble, he openly expressed his disappointment by letting the world know of Ganguly’s unavailability at the time he was being interviewed. As a part of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), Ganguly along with Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman were entrusted the job of selecting the Indian head coach. Due to prior official commitments, Ganguly had to be excused for a while and he could not be present during Shastri’s interview. ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri resigns from ICC Cricket Committee; Anil Kumble to continue as its chief

Shastri’s repeated snarky interviews where he termed Ganguly ‘disrespectful’ hurt the former captain, who had earlier declined to comment over the issue. But he finally lashed out at Shastri. The former Mumbai all-rounder had earlier advised Ganguly to be present for such important assignments in future and as a part of counter advise, the Bengal tiger roared, “When the coach of India is selected and it is one of the most important jobs in cricket, he should be in front of the committee giving his presentation and not sit in Bangkok on holiday and make a presentation on camera, especially when someone who is one of the greatest cricketers of India [of] all time spoke for two hours nearly, Anil Kumble.” READ MORE: Watch Sourav Ganguly hitting back at Ravi Shastri; even Twitter reacted to this ugly episode

The ugly episode had many former cricketers like Sanjay Manjrekar and Bishan Singh Bedi, and also Gautam Gambhir speaking about this issue and taking sides. While Manjrekar and Gambhir criticised Shastri, Bedi donned his boxing gloves to punch his favourite whipping boy, Ganguly.

Shastri hits back

Shastri, who is back in Mumbai, spoke to ETPanache and clarified that he was communicated about his interview date pretty late.

“I got communication from the BCCI on the 19th (June) that the interview is on the 21st. I had left for Thailand on the 15th. No one knew at that time when the interview would be. And their mail categorically said that since it (the interview call) is at short notice I could make myself available on Skype at a particular time,” said Shastri. ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri’s verbal volleys continue; lashes out at “disrespectful” Sourav Ganguly

Shastri further clarified that BCCI had given him the option to get interviewed over Skype. Though he agrees ideally a candidate should have been present. He added, “I was out of the country and the BCCI did give me the option of Skype. Besides, Tom Moody and some other candidates did the interview on Skype. What’s the difference? In this day and age, half the world operates on video-conferencing.”

The former Team Director continues to enjoy his holidays, now in Mumbai, says that he has moved on with the rejection but clarified that he was disappointed with Ganguly’s absence during the interview.

“At least the people who are on the committee should be there (for the interview). One, as a respect to the guy being interviewed and two, to the job you’ve been given,” he said.