Exclusive: Ravi Shastri backs Duncan Fletcher in his report to BCCI

New Delhi: Indian cricket team's director Ravi Shastri has backed under-fire coach Duncan Fletcher in his assessment report that is to be submitted to the BCCI, details of which have been confirmed to Zee News by sources.

Shastri was appointed the team director after Team India's humiliating 1-3 loss in the Test series in England, triggering rumours that coach Duncan Fletcher could be on his way out.

Hence, this report was critical for the future of Fletcher continuing as the coach of the Indian team. The BCCI will discuss Shastri's report during the Working Committee Meeting on September 26.

Follwing are the key points in the assessment report:

• Ravi Shastri has given a clean chit and appreciated Dunchan Fletcher. Shastri has also recommended that BCCI should give greater importance to Fletcher's inputs regarding team selection.
• Shastri believes that the Indian team is performing well under the captaincy of MS Dhoni and no immediate change is required in the leadership —at least until the 2015 World Cup. He has even mentioned in his report —'NO GROUPISM' —to highlight the team unity.
• Shastri has also written about the performance of newly-appointed support staff during ODI series in England. As per Shastri's report, the 'Indian cricketers are finding it very easy to work with Asst Coach Sanjay Bangar, Bharat Arun & R Sreedhar'. He is also in favour of extending their contracts.
• Shastri's report also mentions discipline, punctuality and individual performances of Indian cricketers.
• Shastri has also written about the mental state and body language of Indian cricket team after he joined team management post the humiliating defeat in the Test series. He has also written about some of his individual conversations held with members of Team India.
• Shastri thinks very highly of struggling opener Shikhar Dhawan. In the report he has suggested that the left-hander needs more backing from his captain and coach to play with aggression. He has recommended that Dhawan be given the freedom to play his natural game.

However, Shastri has been non-committal as to whether he could continue in his role as Team Director after the England Tour.

It is now understood that Shastri will meet Sanjay Patel, Secretary BCCI in a few days to talk about his future plans and possibility of continuing with Indian Team till 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

However, he wants the BCCI to offer him a minimum contract for 2-3 years.