Bhajji, Raina, Kaif hail Zaheer being named India bowling consultant

New Delhi, July 12: Hailing the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) for its decision to appoint Zaheer Khan as bowling consultant of the national team, several teammates of the former star pacer wished him all the luck with his new assignment.

"Very happy for my brother @ImZaheer being appointed bowling coach for @BCCI! All the best with this new role fella #bestchoice #bestbowler," veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who won the 2011 ODI World Cup with Zaheer, tweeted.

Veteran batsman Suresh Raina added: "Congratulations @ImZaheer @RaviShastriOfc & #RahulDravid. Best wishes for a successful tenure with TeamIndia."

Former India batsman Mohammed Kaif also hailed the decision, terming it as a "fantastic move". Kaif also hoped that the focus will now be on cricket after the India coach issued dragged on for a long time.

"Having @ImZaheer as bowling coach is a fantastic move. Wish Team India good luck under Ravi Shastri. Hopefully d focus will be on cricket now," Kaif tweeted.

After much deliberations, CAC members Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman chose the 55-year-old Shastri as the head coach for a two-year tenure, lasting till the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Shastri had earlier served as the Team Director from 2014 to 2016, when he guided the team to the semi-finals of the 2015 ICC World Cup and 2016 ICC World T20.

Besides Shastri, former India pacer Zaheer Khan and current India A and Under-19 coach Rahul Dravid were selected as the bowling consultant and overseas batting consultant, respectively.