Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who is known for his outspoken nature, has revealed that he didn’t attend a single selection meeting during his two stints with the side.
Shastri served the Indian team as a director from 2014 to 2016 and was made the full-time coach in 2017 before being re-appointed in the role in 2019. His tenure ended after the T20 World Cup in 2021.
"I have zero first-hand experience [of attending selection meetings]. Seven years I was part of the team, I never went near a selection meeting. I wasn't invited either. I think in the long run, yes [a coach should be invited],” Shastri said in an interaction with ESPNCricinfo.
"You spend a lot of time with the boys, it's important, even if not in voting capacity, but to hear what the selectors are thinking, what is their train of thoughts are. And then to decide what could be the right thing for the side. I have zero idea how it starts, how it finishes, who are there in the meeting. From what I gather, there were a lot of people [in the meetings], over the last three-four years, inside selection meetings, not supposed to be there, against the constitution but pitched up."
Shastri, however, believes his presence in the selection meetings could have ruined his relationship with the players.
"I needed the trust of the player. If a player knew I was a selector or I could influence a selector/chairman of the committee, then will he open up to me? Will he have the same trust in me? There could be a certain people who will come and still be open and upfront, there could be a certain people who might not want to, and I don't blame them because they may have some reservations.”
"From my point of view, that's why I thought it's best to stay away, but in the long run, especially when a team is in the rebuilding stage, it's extremely important that a coach who spends a lot of time with the players within the confines of the dressing room can give some valuable inputs."
Under Shastri, India did reasonably well, especially in overseas conditions. The team won the Test series in Australia (twice), Sri Lanka and West Indies. They were also leading the Test series 2-1 in England in 2021, before the final Test was postponed due to COVID-19 scare in the visiting camp.
