CAC slams Vinod Rai with strong-worded letter; expresses pain

Shubhanshu Sharma
Published on: 13 July 2017 11:42 PM GMT
CAC slams Vinod Rai with strong-worded letter; expresses pain
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CAC slams Vinod Rai with strong-worded letter; expresses pain

New Delhi: In a strong-worded letter to CoA Chief Vinod Rai, the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on Thursday expressed 'pain' at the perception that Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan's appointment was forced upon head coach Ravi Shastri.

The Committee of Administrators (CoA) had reportedly hinted that CAC misused powers to appoint Dravid and Zaheer as consultants when they were only required to choose the head coach for the national Cricket team.

"We spoke to Mr Shastri about getting Mr Khan and Mr Dravid on board in these capacities, and he readily agreed to the idea of having them in the set-up so that it would benefit the team and Indian Cricket as a whole in time to come. It was only after getting Mr Shastri's consent that we also recommended Mr Khan and Mr Dravid, in their respective capacities," the letter read.

The trio of the legends, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, also reminded Rai of an email where he had given full freedom to choose the coach of the Indian Cricket team.

"There have been suggestions that the CAC has exceeded its ambit in going with Mr Khan and Mr Dravid and these two legends of Indian Cricket have been foisted on the head coach. Also we did inform you (Rai) over the phone along with Rahul Johri and Amitabh Choudhary of all that transpired immediately after the meeting was over."

The CAC began the letter expressing 'pain' over the perception as it claimed that 'we put all our heart and soul in trying to make the Indian team the world beaters'.

"You will be aware that we put our heart and soul into the process, approaching a task made delicate by the recent developments with a clear head and with soul aim of providing Indian team with best resources possible to become world beaters they are capable of being.

Also Read: BCCI hails CAC members’ contribution in picking coaching staff

"It has both pained and disappointed us, therefore, to see the light in which the CAC has been portrayed in various sections of the media," the letter read.

The anguish of the legendary trio was visible where they appealed Vinod Rai to 'come public' with transparency of the system.

"It is our desire that you come public about the transparency of the process of identifying the next head coach so that the falsehoods are put to bed."

They also expressed their anger and disgust by the end of the letter.

"As we have outlined, that (forcing Zaheer and Dravid on Shastri) is not the case, it is imperative that the Cricket-loving public at large is made aware of the reality. We could do it ourselves, of course, but we don't want to further queer the pitch. So we would respectfully request you to clear the air and set the record straight in this regard," the penultimate paragraph read.

"The three of us played our Cricket with great integrity, and we have brought that same trait in fulfilling this important responsibility bestowed upon us by the BCCI. While we are not looking for plaudits, we do not appreciate the tone and the falsehoods of the narratives," the letter concluded.

Shubhanshu Sharma

Shubhanshu Sharma

Writer has 6 years of experience in digital media. Presently working as Senior Sub Editor at newstrack.com. An avid reader and always willing to learn new things and techniques.

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