Rediff

Mumbai, Apr 7: Ravi Shastri has agreed to become the Indian cricket team's manager for Bangladesh tour, according to BCCI official Raj Singh Dungurpur.

The former Indian captain believes he has the experience and could play a part in putting Indian cricket back on track.

"It did surprise me 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 was quoted as saying by ESPN-Star Sports.

Shastri, who was offered the job on Friday in the BCCI meeting, had told the Board that he will have to look at his contractual obligations with a television channel before taking a decision.

"For the years you have played the game and the years you have been part of the media, I do believe I have the experience to contribute," he said.

Shastri also said that the World Cup debacle did not make the Indian team bad overnight.

"You are not going to change the team overnight and I do not believe this Indian team can be bad in seven days. I don't think this Indian team can be a very good team in 14 days," he said.

"There is lot that can be done to make sure that the path is being set for the team to move forward," he said.

Shastri, who was in the committee to select Chappell as coach, also expressed happiness with the Board's offer to the Australian to continue his association with Indian cricket.

"His presentation was outstanding. I am so happy that BCCI has offered Chappell a role in Indian cricket. The man has tremendous knowledge, he might not be happy with the way things have gone for the last year and half, two years. But I still believe he has still a lot to offer for Indian cricket," he said.