Ravi Shastri’s tenure as India’s head coach ended with the team's T20 World Cup campaign.
Outgoing Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, while talking about being trolled on social media, said that he is fine with people laughing at his expense.
Over his tenure of four years, Ravi Shastri helped Team India achieve new heights. Under him the Virat Kohli-led side became one of the most consistent sides in all three formats of the game, winning series both at home as well as in away conditions.
However, apart from his achievements as the Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri provided fans with meme material in spades via his assortment of moods caught on camera and passionate speeches.
Addressing the press conference after India’s win against Namibia in T20 World Cup 2021, Ravi Shastri was asked about how he viewed the social media criticism and ridicule that he was subjected to during his tenure.
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Replying to this, the 59-year-old said that it’s all banter and let people laugh at his expense. He added that with various memes on him, many people laugh and feel happy, and as long as the team wins it doesn’t matter to him.
“It’s banter all the way, they do it to have fun at my expense, I will take a laugh yaar, have a drink in my name. Kya farak padta hai, Main nimbu paani piyunga or I will have milk and honey, you have a drink, enjoy karo na at my expense.
“When you post that kind of things (memes) kitna jan haste hain yaar, kitna jan khush hote hain (so many people have a laugh, feel happy), enjoy karo na yaar. As long as the team does well, I am happy," Ravi Shastri said in the post-match press conference.
When asked about the criticism that comes with almost every India loss, Shastri said that it all revolves around performance. He remarked that when the team wins, you’ll be acknowledged and when the team losses you’ll get a kick and a slap.
“Criticism kya baat hai yaar…It all revolves around performance, accha karo, you will get the accolades, if you don’t perform, you will get a kick and a slap. Shanti rakho, om shanti om," he said.
Rahul Dravid will now take over the head coach duties, when he begins his tenure from India’s home series against New Zealand, starting 17th November.
(PTI inputs)