BCCI's 'be present in person' clause result of Sourav-Shastri fiasco

The BCCI's 'be present in person for interview' clause for picking selectors has been borne out of a strong desire to avoid a Ravi Shastri-like fiasco in the future.

- Shastri slams 'disrespectful' Ganguly over interview snub

Clause 11 of selection criteria put up by the Indian Cricket Board states: "Candidates should be willing to appear for personal interview", indicating that the BCCI learnt its lesson from the controversy that broke in the aftermath of interviews for the Indian coach's job.

Shastri had appeared for his personal interview via video conferencing.

A reliable BCCI source in the know of things told PTI that they had kept the clause to avoid a similar situation.

"What happened post chief coach's interview (Shastri-Sourav Ganguly spat) could have been avoided but we would ensure that nothing like that happens this time. If someone is interested, he should appear for an interview irrespective of his stature," said the source.

While the Mumbaikar lost the chief coach's job to former captain Anil Kumble, it started a war of words between Shastri and Ganguly, who was one of the interview panel members.

"I expected Sourav to be present during my interview but he was not there," Shastri had said then.

Not one to take things lying down, Ganguly had then retorted: "If Ravi Shastri was so serious about the job, he should have been here (in Kolkata) appearing for the job and not give an interview while holidaying in Bangkok."

It is expected that the BCCI will get a sizeable number of CVs now that selectors will be picked through an open interview process.

Meanwhile, the company that produces SG Test balls for first-class and Tests in India, has handed over the first set of pink ball consignment to the BCCI.

It will now be sent to the NCA for testing and the feedback report will be sought and accordingly improvisation will be done.

It is still not clear though whether SG will be in a position to supply pink balls for the upcoming Ranji Trophy games.

The outgoing senior selection committee has suggested that at least one match per round of Ranji Trophy is held with the pink ball.