Ravi Shastri’s tenure as India’s head coach ended with the team’s underwhelming T20 World Cup 2021 campaign on Monday (November 8).
The Men in Blue registered a consolation nine-wicket victory over Namibia in Shastri’s last game as a coach. They finished the Super 12 stage with three wins from five matches but it wasn’t enough to qualify for the semi-final.
See Also: ‘Bradman’s average will also come down’, Shastri on challenges of staying in bio-bubble
After the game, Shastri revealed that former BCCI chief N Srinivasan was the reason behind him getting into a coaching stint with the national side.
Shastri also thanked the Indian board and mentioned that communication within the dressing room has been free and players vocal about their problems.
"Communication has been free we have managed players especially with their training methods. One thing we were never short of communication. Everyone had the freedom to express and I think it has been one heck of a journey," said Shastri in a virtual press conference.
"I know it's my last day in the dressing room but I'll like to thank the BCCI for giving me this opportunity and I also like thank all the committees that were involved in picking me as a coach," he added.
Ravi Shastri had served the Indian team as a director from 2014 till 2016. He was made the full-time coach in 2017 before the BCCI re-appointed him in 2019.
Shastri explained the role Srinivasan played in him applying for the position of chief coach.
"But one man I would like to give the special mention, his name is N Srinivasan. He was the man who insisted that I do this job in 2014. In fact, I didn't have the belief that I could do this job, he had more belief in me than I had and I hope I haven't let him down. Sir you listening, I got the opportunity and I did my work without any agenda," he said.
Under Shastri, Team India did reasonably well, winning two Test series in Australia and a number of bilateral series in white-ball cricket. They were also leading the Test series 2-1 in England before the final Test was postponed due to COVID-19 scare in the visiting camp.
"We won back-to-back (Test) series in Australia. We took the lead in England and it could be the longest lead-in history (with the final Test being deferred to next year). I might be commentating on that Test," Shastri stated.
(With ANI inputs)
