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Shastri team director for England ODIs. Can he turn around India's fortunes?

August 19, 2014 16:13 IST
Ravi Shastri gives batting tips

India have appointed former captain Ravi Shastri as director of cricket for the One-day international series against England as part of a coaching shake-up following the recent 3-1 Test series defeat to the same opponents.

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Can Shastri turn around the Indian team's fortunes in England?

Shastri team director for England ODIs. Can he turn around India's fortunes?

August 19, 2014 16:13 IST
Sunil Gavaskar interim President of BCCI and Ravi Shastri

Duncan Fletcher remains as head coach, but Shastri, who played 80 Tests and 150 one-dayers matches between 1981 and 1992, has been placed ‘overall in-charge of cricket affairs of the Indian team’.

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Can Shastri turn around the Indian team's fortunes in England?

Shastri team director for England ODIs. Can he turn around India's fortunes?

August 19, 2014 16:13 IST
Sanjay Bangar

The support staff will have a more Indian look, with Kings XI Punjab Chief Coach Sanjay Bangar and India Under-19 Coach Bharath Arun named assistant coaches.

Bangar, 41, played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs. He is considered to be one of the brightest young coaches in the country, having guided the unheralded Kings XI Punjab to its first-ever final in the IPL.

Arun, who will probably be the bowling coach, has headed the National Cricket Academy's bowling unit for close to seven years now and is best known for guiding the Unmukt Chand-led India Under-19 team to the World Cup triumph in Australia in 2012.

Former Hyderabad left-arm spinner Sridhar was the India Under-19 team's assistant coach during the World Cup in the UAE and was last month appointed coach of the Andhra team for the Ranji Trophy. He also served as the fielding coach for the Kings XI Punjab in this year's IPL.

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Can Shastri turn around the Indian team's fortunes in England?

Shastri team director for England ODIs. Can he turn around India's fortunes?

August 19, 2014 16:13 IST
India celebrate running out James Anderson of England to win the 2nd Investec Test match at Lord's

India won the second Test at Lord's to go 1-0 up in the five-match series before losing the next three matches heavily, including a humiliating innings and 244 runs defeat within three days at The Oval in the final outing.

The five-match ODI series begins at Bristol on Monday, with one Twenty20 international to follow.

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Can Shastri turn around the Indian team's fortunes in England?

Shastri team director for England ODIs. Can he turn around India's fortunes?

August 19, 2014 16:13 IST
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and head coach Duncan Fletcher during a nets session in England

India's humiliating 1-3 defeat in the Test series prompted many former cricketers to call for Fletcher's immediate ouster, saying he has not contributed anything to the team. They also questioned captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership abilities.

Under Fletcher, India has lost 13 Tests outside the sub-continent: seven in England, four in Australia, one each in New Zealand and South Africa.

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Can Shastri turn around the Indian team's fortunes in England?

Shastri team director for England ODIs. Can he turn around India's fortunes?

August 19, 2014 16:13 IST
Ravi Shastri

This is not the first time that Shastri will be a part of India's team management.

In 2007, after the World Cup debacle in the West Indies, the former India all-rounder -- who captained India for only one Test against the West Indies, but is admired for his leadership skills -- was appointed manager for the tour of Bangladesh after coach Greg Chappell was sacked.

Can Shastri turn around the Indian team's fortunes in England?

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