Ravi Shastri has signalled his intention to stand down as India head coach after the Twenty20 World Cup, and has rejected suggestions his book launch was the catalyst for the fifth Test against England being called off.
Shastri, a former all-rounder who played 80 Tests and 150 one-day internationals for India between 1981 and 1982, succeeded Anil Kumble in July 2017 and has overseen two landmark Test series wins in Australia during his tenure.
India were also on course for a first Test series win in England since 2007, holding a 2-1 lead before the final match was postponed on the morning of the first day last week due to COVID-19 concerns within the touring camp.
Shastri hopes to crown his reign by leading India to victory in the next World Cup, which starts in the United Arab Emirates and Oman next month and also marks the end of Virat Kohli’s captaincy of the T20 side.
As he reflected whether the end of the tournament is the correct time to step aside from his role, Shastri said in an interview with The Guardian: “I believe so because I’ve achieved all I wanted.
“If we win the World Cup that will be the icing on the cake. There is nothing more. I believe one thing – never overstay your welcome. And I would say that, in terms of what I wanted to get out of the side, I’ve over-achieved.
“To beat Australia away and to lead the series in England in a COVID year? It is the most satisfying moment of my four decades in cricket.”
The outcome of India’s Test series in England is still to be determined after the plug was pulled at the 11th hour at Emirates Old Trafford, where the tourists were concerned by a coronavirus outbreak among the backroom staff.
Assistant physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar’s positive test was the final straw for many Indian players, coming a week after Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach Ramakrishnan Sridhar were also found to have the virus.
By that time, Shastri was self-isolating in London, having tested positive during the fourth Test. Two days before the match at The Oval started, Shastri attended the launch of his book at an event where no masks were worn.
But an unrepentant Shastri said: “There were about 250 people there and no one got COVID from that party. I’ve not got it at my book launch because it was on the 31 (August) and I tested positive on September 3.
“It can’t happen in three days. I think I got it in Leeds (where the third Test was held). I have absolutely no regrets because the people I met at that function were fabulous.
“And it was good for the boys to get out and meet different people rather than constantly being in their rooms. At the Oval Test, you were climbing stairs used by 5,000 people. So to point a finger at a book launch?”
Talks are continuing behind the scenes between the England and Wales Cricket Board and its Indian counterparts about a resolution to the series.
CricDude
Guest
The kind of team that India has, the talent pool, the facilities, infrastructure and money that the Indian cricket has, I would say Virat and Shastri have under-achieved. The moment Ravi said he was proud of India making it to the semis and claimed it as an achievement, I knew this is not the right guy for the post. Cricket has just 8-10 good teams and at any point 3-4 teams would be out of form due to transition or other issues. The moment any captain or coach tries to over-glorify their achievements, the negative growth creeps in. Virat and Ravi have some good results to show but the major problem is their refusal to admit the flaws. The last 3-4 years, the bowlers contribution with both bat and ball has put results in favour of the team. India hasn't showed the level of progression that NZ has shown in the last 5-6 years. Anyway, I guess it's time for the next coach to try and take the Indian cricket to next level. Whether one likes Virat-Ravi's leadership or not, they can be thanked for their services and for whatever they have achieved. Virat's form with the bat in the last couple of years has not been good; way way below his potential. We need Virat the batter more than Virat the captain. I think BCCI is making some tough good calls now. I am really impressed with the squad for WT20. We might win or not, but the deserving guys have been selected. Now, coming to coaching part. Definitely I don't want to see a cheerleader there. Rahul Dravid is more suited to grooming the youngsters, than tactically as head coach. He better be used at NCA. Mahela is a very good choice and I am glad BCCI gave him the first chance. Sadly, he seems to be unavailable. Ponting is good but not great. I see a major flaw in his style. When he has a great team and the results are going his way, he looks good and takes good amount of credit. But when the chips are down, he looks helpless. Am not sure he's the best option but for sure players will respect his stature. Huge respect for Ponting the genius batsman, but I would rate Steve Waugh or Warney or Clarke as better captaincy material than Ricky. Matthew Hayden is a very good choice though he doesn't have coaching experience. But Ramiz Raja has made the first move and taken him into the Pak staff. My next option would be Jason Gillespie; lets see on that. Stephen Fleming is not a bad idea but am not sure if CSK will let him go. The names doing the rounds now Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman. VVS - I would say he will be great as Batting Coach to mould the techniques than as the head coach. Kumble. Superb tactician. The best option for me after Mahela. But few players need to accept it and let go of the past. Let me give few examples why he is great. a) The way he changed RCB (which people were calling a test team) in seasons 2 and 3 was superb. He took the team which was in an awful state midway in season 2 and made the team punch above its weight. b) He has played a big role in the rise of MI when they transitioned to become champions. The structure of the support staff and the composition of the squad; those elements can be seen even now. c) Upgrading one's game. He was not a good T20 bowler in his first year. The way he improved his game and came back was astounding. Same with the way he reads the game. He is up-to-date with the game and how it is progressing over the years. That is why he is in the ICC Committee. In this aspect I always feel Kumble and Warney were 2 great captaincy materials who we did not get to see captain much in the international arena. d) His stint at PK might not show good stats but I see some interesting things there. Like the support staff he has got in there is really good. Gayle at 3 is interesting idea too. A big hitter for the middle overs to clear the ground. It hasn't worked till now but if it clicks, it will be something else. Only mistake I see him doing is not playing Fabian Allen at no. 6. Bring Fabian at 6 and the team will find superb balance and will look something else. Which means only one of Hooda/SRK has to play. Anyway back to coaching. Why not bring in Kumble as head coach and VVS as Assistant and Batting Coach. Win-Win it will be. My other change would be bringing in Graham Onions as bowling coach (my other options would be Ryan Harris or Jason Gillespie or Stuart Clarke). Kumble-VVS-Onions-Jonty that would be a great coaching staff in my opinion. Jonty had applied for the fielding coach role before too but wasn't selected. Bring in both Anil and VVS. BCCI is making some really interesting and good moves now. It might hurt few people now but in the long run, this will be good. I bat for both Anil and VVS.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Interesting how the abrasive coaches and mentors still seem to be the more successful operators. He certainly had a willing ally in Kohli and there's no denying his successful change of mindset in Indian game plans. While Australia went down the kumbaya route, Shastri and Kohli went down the Waugh mental disintegration path and the results speak for themselves. Future generations of Indian cricketers will now have a different mindset as they are influenced by coaches who have played under Shastri's mentorship.
Ian
Roar Rookie
Maybe 1981 or 1982 were a leap year.That might explain it.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
While it might be pure personal and professional decision, the things that have come out in last few days might be a factor behind not extending his contract? We shall see.
Paul
Roar Guru
No wonder he coped so well with the bio-bubbles, he was used to doing nothing but playing travelling to & from venues and playing some more.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Lol. That really is living and breathing cricket.
Paul
Roar Guru
"Shastri, a former all-rounder who played 80 Tests and 150 one-day internationals for India between 1981 and 1982," Assuming the Test went for 5 days, Shastri would have played around 550 days of cricket. He must have been a tired boy!