Team India under the leadership of Virat Kohli are doing wonders lately, be it in Test cricket or limited-overs format. They are the numero uno Test side for last four years and are few points behind the World Champions England in the ICC ODI rankings.
Despite such a level of domination, there is one thing missing from the cabinet of Men in Blue. Virat and company have failed to lift an ICC trophy as of now. While India lost the final of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 to arch-rivals Pakistan, they suffered a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the first semi-final of World Cup 2019.
See Also: He is not chasing anybody, he is chasing himself: Shastri lauds incomparable Kohli
Therefore, the only thing this Indian team need to address is the ICC trophy jinx. And it is something that the India head coach Ravi Shastri also understands.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, Shastri spoke about the legacy he wants to create and the team’s "obsession" of winning a World Cup title.
"That toss will be taken out of the equation, we will play well irrespective of conditions, of opponents and in every country of the world. That's what our aim is and that is what we are chasing. Yes, the World Cup remains an obsession and we will do all to fulfill that ambition," Shastri said ahead of the start of India's tour of New Zealand.
India will play five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests against the Kiwis starting with the shortest format on January 24.
The hallmark of this team is enjoying each others' success, the chief coach reiterated.
"The word 'I' is not there in our dictionary. It's 'we'. That's what this team stands for. It celebrates each other's achievements because it's the team that wins."
During the recently concluded ODI series against Australia, India suffered a 10-wicket thrashing in the first game. But Kohli and his troops bounced back emphatically to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
"The Australia series was proof of the mental strength and the ability to play under pressure. After the hammering at the Wankhede, to come back and play like the way we did, merits a lot of credit and praise.
"It showed courage and as Virat used the word brave, it showed we are unafraid to play brave cricket and with intent," said Shastri.
After the Australia series, captain Kohli made it clear that KL Rahul will continue to don the wicketkeeping gloves in the upcoming series as his new role provides a massive balance to the side.
Shastri echoed the words of Indian captain, saying he is happy that the team has got a multipurpose player of Rahul's quality.
"We love options," he said.
The only thing that disappoints the India coach is veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan’s unavailability for the New Zealand assignment due to shoulder injury.
"Very sad because he (Dhawan) is a senior player. He is a match-winner. When someone suffers an injury of that sort, everyone is hurt in the team," Ravi said.
Shastri also dismissed the speculations that Kedar Jadhav has outlived his utility as an ODI player.
"Kedar is an integral part of the ODI team that will play in New Zealand. He will be treated like every other player."
It's been quite a while since wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have featured in the playing XI together. Asked if they can be seen bowling in tandem in New Zealand, Shastri said: "That's a call we will take. We play 'Horses for Courses'. We will judge it in that direction."
(With PTI inputs)
