'Wouldn't have allowed it to escalate': CAC questions head coach candidate on how he would solve Kohli-Rohit rift

The Kapil Dev-led Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) named Ravi Shastri again as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team.

Shastri retained his job for another two years until the ICC World T20 in 2021 which will be held in India. 

The former Indian captain confirmed Shastri's extension after interviewing five shortlisted candidates - Shastri, Mike Hesson, Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput and Robin Singh. 

During the interview process, one candidate was asked about the alleged rift between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and how he would have solved it.

"I told the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) that there is no such fight and Virat has gone on record to deny this, so I don't know how to answer this question but I would have stepped in immediately and doused it. I wouldn't have allowed it to escalate. I would also involve the BCCI and keep them in the loop because I want a happy and healthy dressing room. If at all there was a rift why couldn't the present coach solve it?" the candidate was quoted as saying in a report, according to Times Now.

Reports of an alleged rift between the two batsmen had surfaced after India's World Cup 2019 semi-finals exit. 

Captain Kohli and coach Shastri however, rubbished the rumours during the pre-departure press conference in Mumbai ahead of India's tour of West Indies. 

The national selection committee headed by MSK Prasad will now be picking the support staff of the Indian team. A batting, fielding, bowling, physiotherapist and a conditioning coach will be finalised soon after the applications were received earlier this month.