Shastri accepts interim role

Ravi Shastri has accepted the role of interim team manager for the Indian cricket team after the position was offered to him by the BCCI yesterday.

Shastri will manage the team for their tour of Bangladesh next month.

The move comes after Greg Chappell announced on Wednesday that he will not be seeking a renewal of his contract after India’s shock group stage exist from the 2007 World Cup.

Shastri, 44, told ESPN-STAR that the offer surprised him, but it was an honour to accept the role.

“But having said that, if you look at the state of Indian cricket at the moment, I thought it was a good time to put your hand up and asked to be counted.”

Shastri played 80 Test matches and 150 ODIs for India.