BCCI acting president finally confirms Ravi Shastri as head coach

New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) acting president C.K. Khanna has finally confirmed that former Indian all-rounder and team director Ravi Shastri has been appointed as the new head coach of the country's cricket team. The 55-year-old was among ten applicants who applied for the position earlier this month. Also, Zaheer Khan has been appointed as the bowling coach of the team. Earlier in the day, the BCCI said that the final decision on the head coach for the Indian Cricket team wasn't taken, denying reports that cited that Shastri had replaced Anil Kumble. "The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) is still deliberating over the decision. There is no final decision on the coach as of now. The members - Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman - are discussing the issue," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told the media. "Let's not pull out things that are not true. I would like to dispel the notion that we are trying to avoid meeting you, so I am updating you on that. But I can't determine the exact time as to when the name will come," he added. Shastri was interviewed by the CAC on Monday after being included in the shortlist of six names. Besides Shastri, Virendra Sehwag, Lalchand Rajput, Richard Pybus, Ravi Shastri and Tom Moody were interviewed by the CAC. Shastri was the director of the Indian team between 2014 and 2016 during which time he led the Men in Blue to the semi-finals of the World Cup and 2015 World T20. Shastri had also applied for the job in 2016, but legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble was chosen over him. Ganguly, who is overseeing the interview process of India's head coach, on Tuesday reiterated that the CAC would keep skipper Virat Kohli in the loop before reaching any conclusion. When quizzed if Kohli should be consulted for the appointment of India's new head coach, the former cricketer insisted that the captain is the most important part in cricket and that his decision holds great value. The head coach position has been vacant since Anil Kumble's resignation following India's 180-run defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at the Oval on June 18. (ANI)