India vs England: BCCI to take strong action on Kohli, Shastri if India lose Test series

After an awkward defeat to England by an innings and 159 runs on the second test, the BCCI will presumably pose a few questions to chief coach Ravi Shastri and captain Virat Kohli based on how the team India is preparing ahead of the third test third Test against England.

India is facing trouble in the series with 0-2 defeat yet while the third Test in Nottingham is going to decide their fate in the rest of the series. However, at this crucial time, the BCCI has made up its mood to take a strong move.

“The Indian team can't complain that they were not given enough time to prepare. When we lost the South Africa series, the players spoke about tight scheduling and lack of practice games. It was after speaking to them that we decided that white ball matches will be held before the Tests,” PTI quoted a senior BCCI official as saying.

“We arranged white ball matches first. It was on the senior team's insistence that we send India A team during the same time starting the concept of 'Shadow Tour'. Two senior India players (M Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane) were accommodated for A team games. Whatever they wanted, they were provided. Now if results don't come, the Board is well within its rights to ask questions,” the official added.

If India lose the series, the Shastri-Kohli duo may not enjoy unlimited powers as it has been the case till now.

"Don't forget under Shastri and current support staff, we have lost major Test series in Australia (0-2 in 2014-15), South Africa (1-2 in 2017-18). Now we are in dire straits in England.”

Aside from the coach-captain duo , the board likely to assess the output of Shastri’s associates – batting coach Sanjay Bangar, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach Sridhar.

"If you remember, BCCI removed Duncan Fletcher's assistants Joe Dawes (bowling coach) and Trevor Penny (fielding coach) after India lost the Test series 1-3 in England. Shastri became the Director along with Sanjay Bangar, R Sridhar and Bharat Arun joining the support staff before the ODI series," the official recalled.