Huge pay hike for new India coach Shastri

Ravi Shastri will pocket around Rs 8 crore per annum, which is atleast a crore more than previous coach Anil Kumble's salary.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to pay new chief coach Ravi Shastri a whopping salary, which could go upto Rs 8 crore per annum.

It was learnt that the top brass of BCCI was unanimous in their decision on Shastri's perks, which is atleast a crore more than previous coach Anil Kumble's salary of Rs 6.5 crore.

Ironically, in Kumble's demand for an increment was exactly to the tune of what Shastri will be getting.

The three other coaches -- Sanjay Bangar, Bharat Arun and R Sridhar are expected to be bracketed between Rs two and three crore taking into account that they need to be compensated for foregoing their Indian Premier League contracts.

The Indian Express reported on Wednesday that Shastri, at a meeting with a committee comprising BCCI president C K Khanna, secretary Amitabh Choudhary, Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji and BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, had demanded Rs 7.75 crore.

According to a member of the committee, Shastri’s increased remuneration was finalised keeping in mind that as head coach, he will have to give up his role as commentator and end his media commitments.

Acceding to Shastri's demand, the BCCI on Tuesday appointed Bharat Arun as the Indian cricket team's bowling coach.

"I was very clear in my mind what my core team would be and you have just heard that," Shastri said after Chaudhary announced the appointment in a press conference.

Besides, the BCCI also decided to retain Sanjay Bangar as assistant coach and R Sridhar as fielding coach till the 2019 ODI World Cup.

His appointment marks a complete u-turn for the BCCI, which had named Zaheer Khan as bowling consultant initially before clarifying that it was for specific overseas tours. There is also, no clarity on Rahul Dravid's position as batting consultant either.

"All depends on their availability, it depends on individuals, the number of days they want to give but their inputs will be invaluable and they are most welcome," was Shastri's cryptic response on queries regarding Zaheer and Dravid.