Ravi Shastri was appointed as Team India's head coach after Anil Kumble resigned in 2017.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recalled India's tour to Sri Lanka in 2017 when his call to include Shikhar Dhawan in the playing eleven had paid off heavily. Dhawan wasn't in the squad initially and India captain Virat Kohli wasn't keen to get him into the team for the first Test in Galle.
Murali Vijay was ruled out of the Test series due to a wrist injury, and Dhawan was included in the squad as his replacement. Shastri had to convince skipper Kohli to give him a chance.
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The then India head coach was interested in giving Dhawan a chance after his performance in the Champions Trophy 2017. He had scored 338 runs at an average of 67.60 in the tournament.
"I remember one when people talk about selection... and it was a great selection. Shikhar Dhawan, he was not going to play, he was not in the mix. He had a good Champions trophy. I went to Virat and said, 'this is guy', but he said 'no'. He said ‘we were thinking about giving someone a run. So we thought we will carry on with this process," Shastri said on 'The Bold and Brave, The Ravi Shastri Way' show on Star Sports.
Shastri's decision to back Dhawan for the opening spot turned out to be a big move as he ended up scoring 190 runs off 168 deliveries in the first Test. He also played a quick 123-ball 119 runs knock in the last Test match.
India whitewashed Sri Lanka 3-0 in their home; which included a victory by an innings in the last two Test matches. "I said 'No, give this guy a go. He is looking dangerous. He is looking good. If he gets going, he will win you the match in a session.
"First game he plays, he gets 190 before tea. That was it. The stamp on the series was right there. And then once they lost the first game, it was one after the other," added Shastri.
(Inputs from Star Sports)