Calcutta/New Delhi: India’s newly-appointed head coach Ravi Shastri wants to rope in some ‘big names’ ahead of the 2017-18 tour of South Africa .  

Specifically, one understands that Shastri is keen on having Sachin Tendulkar on board for a week or so in South Africa for working with the batsmen before the four-Test series. 

Shastri expressed the desire to have Sachin on board during Tuesday’s meeting with the Board’s special committee, comprising acting president CK Khanna, acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary, CEO Rahul Johri and Committee of Administrators’ member Diana Edulji.

Nobody is confirming or denying the matter, but The Telegraph learns that Edulji, during the meeting, raised the point that there would be a conflict of interest on Sachin’s part if he gets associated with the Indian team. 

She made it clear that there can be absolutely no conflict of interest involved for anyone who gets associated with Team India. 

Sachin’s conflict of interest is on two fronts. First of all, he is involved with IPL franchise Mumbai Indians as an icon.

Secondly, the former India captain was unveiled as a brand ambassador for sports on the Sony Pictures Networks. He will be promoting the Sony Pictures Sports Network, a bouquet of 11 dedicated channels. Sony holds the broadcasting rights for the IPL.

Sachin, of course, is part of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) which picked Shastri as the head coach. “Ravi put forward the idea of having Sachin on board as a consultant for a very short period. But the committee promptly reminded him about the conflict of interest clause,” a member of the committee, who did not wish to be identified, was quoted as saying by an Agency.

If Sachin does accept the role, it would mean that he would have to let go his various other commitments, including the IPL. “Expecting someone to be around for an extremely short period and leave aside his other professional commitments is asking for a bit too much,” added the person.

Similar is the case with Zaheer, who wants be around with the team for about 25 days in a year and continue with his other engagements including the IPL. “I doubt for 25 days a year, you would want to forgo all your other commitments,” reckoned the member.

While Shastri’s support staff was announced on Tuesday, there is still lack of clarity over the roles of Zaheer and Dravid with the senior team.