Former Indian cricketer Reetinder Singh Sodhi has admitted that there is pressure on India head coach Ravi Shastri as the former captain’s contract with BCCI will end after the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2021 later this year.
Ever since legendary cricketer Rahul Dravid has been appointed head coach of the Indian team for the Sri Lanka tour, many have been speculating that Dravid can be the next India head coach after Shastri's tenure comes to an end, as he hasn’t won the ICC trophy yet.
Sodhi also admitted that sending Dravid to Sri Lanka is a big hint that he is in line to become India’s next head coach and if Shastri fails to win the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021, then the NCA chief would be the leading person to replace the latter.
He also admitted that Shastri has done a great job as a coach but he alongside Virat Kohli is yet to win an ICC trophy and if they win the T20 World Cup, then nobody can replace Shastri.
Sodhi told India News, “This is speculative for sure. It will be wrong to say that Ravi Shastri has not performed well. He has done quite well but if the parameter is winning trophies, we have not done that. But if the Indian team wins the T20 World Cup, it will be impossible to remove Ravi Shastri.”
He further added, “We have to acknowledge that Ravi Shastri has done a great job as a coach, but winning the trophy, something we have been waiting for, I think the purpose will be filled. And yes, his contract is coming to an end.
But at the end of the day, the way Rahul Bhai has gone to Sri Lanka as a coach and the board rejected the proposal of two additional batsmen, somewhere it’s a clear indication that he is in line, you get a somewhat different signal.”
Sodhi signed off by saying, “If you ask me, there is pressure on Ravi Bhai. If there’s anyone that can replace Ravi Shastri as a coach, that person in Rahul Dravid.”
