Batting legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman were named to the newly-formed advisory cricket committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday.
"The president of the BCCI, Jagmohan Dalmiya, has nominated Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman as esteemed members of the Cricket advisory committee of the BCCI, with immediate effect," the BCCI said in a statement.
The trio's "areas of immediate focus will be to provide guidance to our national team as we set out to enhance our performance on overseas engagements, provide direction to improve our talent pathway and take steps to strengthen domestic cricket to better prepare our players to handle the rigours of international cricket", it said.
Many feel the inclusion of former captains Ganguly, Tendulkar and ex-vice captain Laxman -- who have a combined experience of 447 Tests among them -- is a big move as India head into a critical phase where their Test team will be led by young batsman Virat Kohli, while in the shorter formats Mahendra Singh Dhoni will continue to lead the side.
In the last couple of years, India's Test performance has been marked by overseas series losses in England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand that resulted in India dropping to the fourth spot in the Test rankings. They were the No.1 team from December 2009, till August 2011.
"I am happy to note that our eminent cricketers have come forward to lend their experience and insights as we work towards a common goal of taking Indian cricket to greater heights," Dalmiya said on Monday.
"The coming generations are bound to benefit from the guidance that will be provided by these luminaries and will go a long way in strengthening our existing system."
The three former cricketers, who played for India from 1989 till 2013, are also expected to have their say on the selection of coaches.
Interestingly, the BCCI is yet to appoint a new head coach following Duncan Fletcher's departure and the absence of former captain Rahul Dravid from the advisory committee, has fuelled further rumours.
BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said: "On behalf of all my colleagues in the BCCI, I thank Sachin, Sourav and Laxman for having accepted our invitation to be part of this prestigious committee, and I am confident that their invaluable advice will help Indian cricket regain its leadership position in all formats of the game."
"Their participation augurs well for the future of the game in our country and the noble intention to 'give back to the game' is commendable."
