Following India’s 5-wicket victory in Mumbai, which also saw the ‘Men in Blue’ completing a whitewash over Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series, Team India’s chief coach Ravi Shastri has said that the outcome in the shortest format of the game doesn’t really bother them.
"There's so much of cricket being played. T20 cricket for us, we don't care. You win or lose, it doesn't matter, but give youngsters the opportunity so you come to know who is in the fray for 2019,” quoted Shastri in his famous outspoken manner after the third T20I in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
India’s head coach remark certainly didn’t go down well with the cricket enthusiasts as they suggested Shastri to think before making such audacious statements.
T20s don’t matter, says Shastri. Weird for anyone in a position like him to say that, man.
— Samreen (@SamreenRazzaqui) December 24, 2017
Ravi shastri said ‘don’t care about T20’. Indian team not bothered about good performance ? Am I wasting money buying T20 match tickets and time seeing those matches?
— harish (@ram_se_pyaar) December 25, 2017
Seriously those are some strong words, coming from the coach. Telling the focus in on the Tests & ODIs, really good to see..
— Ankit Jain (@ankitjainrpr) December 24, 2017
Why is Dhoni even playing T20 then. His words doesn’t match with his actions.
— Ir0nClaw (@fa1zaan) December 25, 2017
Ravi Shastri does not seem to care about his ever expanding waist too????????????
— gill pind (@gillpind) December 25, 2017
Moreover, Shastri also said that the current lot of Indian players are hungry for success and is keen to change the track record in overseas conditions.
"Looking very much forward to South Africa. Would like to reiterate the home season we've had. Never easy, no matter what conditions you play in. There were few hiccups in the middle. Games like Dharamsala which taught us a lot," Shastri said.
"That's the challenge. In your playing career, if you're not up for challenges, then it's no fun. Should be a good series. This is a side which can compete anywhere in the world," he added.
Virat Kohli’s troops will depart for South Africa tour on December 28. India are scheduled to play 3 Tests, 6 ODIs and 3 T20Is against the Proteas, with the first Test starting on January 5 in Newlands, Cape Town.
