Ganguly reacts to question about Shastri, says 'What has he done now?'

The newly elected, soon-to-be BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly, in a press briefing, sarcastically responded to a question about India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri. In the briefing, Ganguly was asked whether he has spoken to Ravi Shastri, to which he cheekily said, “Why? What has he done now?”. Appointed as the Indian captain after the fixing scandal involving then captain Mohammad Azharuddin broke out, he led the Indian to the World Cup Finals in 2003. After his official appointment on October 23, he will become the second captain in 65 years to become BCCI President. 

Shastri and Ganguly’s history 

Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri reportedly have a history of not seeing eye-to-eye on several issues. "We had a tiff in 2016 during the selection of the Indian mentor. Anil Kumble was selected as the coach to the Indian team back then. Later, Ravi Shastri was made the coach again after Anil Kumble had some “differences” with Virat Kohli", Sourav Ganguly said in one of his earlier interviews. “If Shastri thinks I was behind the appointment of Kumble as the coach and not him, then he is living in a fool’s paradise.” 

Read: Here’s why Ravi Shastri’s trending as Ganguly becomes BCCI President

‘Need to win big tournaments’ 

During the press briefing, Sourav Ganguly also mentioned that “India is a very good side. My only thing is that they need to win big tournaments. I’m not saying they need to win every time. It’s not possible. But we have gone through seven big tournaments without winning one. They are a much better side than that. That is the only area where they need to get themselves ready mentally. Talent is enormous, otherwise, they couldn’t have played so well in the World Cup till the semi-finals. So that’s an issue which Virat needs to address. And that doesn’t happen in the boardroom.” 

Read: BCCI chief-elect Sourav Ganguly's focus only on "cricket & cricketers"

Paradigm Shift in Indian Cricket’s board politics 

The former President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly, before his election as the president had promised a "paradigm shift" in Board politics with focus only on cricket and cricketers. He said, “If I am finally elected my priorities are clear. It will be only cricket and not politics around it. Indian cricket has suffered a lot from an administrative point of view. Cricketers must not suffer because of this.” 

Read: Sourav Ganguly becomes second Indian captain to become BCCI president

Read: Sourav Ganguly on joining BJP: No political development at the moment