Ravi Shastri to apply for India's head coach position

"Yes, Ravi is very interested and will be applying for the coach's post very soon," a source close to Shastri said on Tuesday.

It was learned that if Shastri applies, he will first need an assurance that he will be given a full two-year contract till the 2019 World Cup.

The former India captain will also make sure that he gets his own team of support staff, including bowling coach Bharath Arun, who had done a commendable job during his time with the team.

Shastri, who was the Team Director from August 2014 to June 2016, was replaced by spin legend Anil Kumble, who recently stepped down due to his differences with skipper Virat Kohli.

Sourav Ganguly remained a man at peace with the world even after news spread on Tuesday that Ravi Shastri was applying for the Indian cricket team coaching job. Former captain Ganguly is a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) that will select Anil Kumble's replacement. That the two are not the best of friends is well- documented, but Ganguly seemed to be unperturbed with the latest development."Everybody has got the right to apply. I can also apply provided I'm not an administrator," Ganguly said.

It must be noted that Shastri is Kohli's preferred choice for the coach's job as the two shared an excellent rapport.

During Shastri's tenure, India won limited overs series away against England in 2014, reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and World T20 (2015 and 2016 respectively), won away Test series against Sri Lanka, home series against South Africa and T20 away series against Australia.

However, Shastri does not share a great equation with former India captain and Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member Sourav Ganguly.

He had then alleged that Ganguly was not present when he appeared for his interview via Skype, while the stylish left- hander retorted by saying that had Shastri been so interested, he should have appeared in person for the job.