After India’s last Super 12 match in the ongoing T20 World Cup against Namibia, outgoing head coach Ravi Shastri highlighted the bio-bubble fatigue that cricketers are dealing with during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Shastri, legends like Sir Don Bradman will also see his average come down if asked to stay in bubbles for an extended period.
WATCH - Virat Kohli embraces Ravi Shastri after his coaching tenure ends
Team India failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final. The Virat Kohli-led side suffered heavy defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand in the Super 12 stage before bouncing back to register wins over Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia.
"When you are six months in the bubble, there are lots of players in this team who are all-format players. In the last 24 months, they have been home for 25 days. I do not care who you are, if you're name is Bradman and you are in a bubble, your average will come down because you are human. It is not something you put petrol in the backside and expect the guy to move on," said Shastri during a virtual press conference after India’s 9-wicket win over Namibia.
"It does not happen that way. These are tough times, in life, it is not what you accomplish, it is what you overcome and this is what this team has shown. They have shown the drive to hang in there. No complaints but sooner or later the bubble will burst, so you have to be careful," he added.
When asked whether he reached out to the BCCI in order to get a break for his players, Shastri said: "That is not my job, it was already done. Big administrators around the globe will be looking to have gap before big tournaments so that guys are mentally fresh and ready to play. Everyone was free to speak, no one player was treated as a junior and it has been one heck of a journey for me."
Ravi Shastri’s tenure as India’s chief coach ended with the T20 World Cup campaign and he will be replaced by Rahul Dravid. Besides Shastri, Bharat Arun and R Sridhar also finished their stints as bowling coach and fielding coach of the Indian cricket team, respectively.
Reflecting on his tenure, Shastri said: "I mean just the quality of cricket this team has played in the last five years across all formats. The performances are there for everyone to see, when you perform in that fashion, when you go across the globe and beat teams then you know you are part of one great cricket team. I am not saying a great Team India, I am saying great cricket teams in the history of the game because if you look at those performances, they do not happen often."
"You need to have bunch of players who are fit, hungry, fearless and they have the hunger and belief. If you want the real highlights, nothing beats Australia, England -- we are up in that particular series. It will be the longest time we will up in the series, I might be commenting on that game. But, everywhere we beat teams. All round it has been fabulous," he further remarked.
Commenting on the underwhelming T20 World Cup campaign, Shastri said: "Let's be honest, I am not here to make excuses. We lacked daring in the second game against New Zealand. I know the toss was important and I do feel it will be important, not as much now because the weather has cooled down a bit. It is something for the boys to learn, they will get an opportunity next year. It is not often you have World Cup in 12 months, hopefully they will kick some butt next year in Australia."
(With ANI inputs)
