Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri signed off as India's head coach with the conclusion of Team India's campaign in the T20 World Cup 2021. Shastri had taken over the role from Anil Kumble after the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.
India created history by winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy twice in Australia under Shastri's coaching stint. They also led 2-1 in the Test series against England which was postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak in India's camp.
Under Shastri, India also won a T20I series in South Africa, New Zealand, England, and Australia. Touring West Indies, they beat the hosts in a Test series and whitewashed them for the first time.
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But apart from all the records, India couldn't win a single ICC tournament under Shastri. They reached the semi-finals of World Cup 2019, and the final in ICC Test Championship, but lost both against New Zealand.
Speaking to India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai, Shastri said he has no regrets of not having an ICC title under his coaching stint. "No regrets, when you've had a journey over five years the way I have had and the team has had and when they have been overachievers. The highs, it has to be Australia, just cannot take that away. Back-to-back wins in Australia after almost 70 years is something that was unimaginable. Makes it extremely special. And of course, leading the series in England," he said.
"It is a disappointment, not regret. We could have won if not one, then maybe two tournaments but such things happen. In white-ball cricket, things change very quickly. If you don't start well you could be behind very quickly like it happened in this World Cup.
"But let me tell you something, that is silverware. We have enough silverware if I have too much of it, it's a problem polishing it after a few years when I get a little older. But for me, steel is more important and what we have done with this team is infuse steel. You can ask anyone around the world, actually which is the best team. They will say it is the Indian cricket team across formats," he added.
(With India Today Inputs)
