The only way is up for Shastri’s Indian charges
RAVI Shastri believes he can make the current India Test team better than ever after being named as head coach of the world’s No. 1 side.
Shastri has been appointed coach until the 2019 World Cup in England and takes over from Anil Kumble, who resigned following India’s Champions Trophy campaign in which they lost in the final to Pakistan.
Kumble said he stepped down after one year because his “partnership” with captain Virat Kohli was “untenable”, and former allrounder Shastri takes over with his immediate assignment being the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka.
That trip, which kicks off on July 26, features three Test matches and 55-year-old playing legend Shastri believes the current India side has the talent and ability to perform in all conditions.
Shastri said:“It can be a better Test team than any Indian team we have had. This is a team you can travel with.
“There is a battery of pacers which can do well in all conditions. Their age is such that they are playing at the right time.
“I think Virat has not yet reached his peak. The next five to six years will define Virat Kohli. The current Indian team can be No. 1 across all formats. It has the skill, the potential.
“I have always relished a challenge and I am looking forward to my stint with India. When you are asked to open the batting in overcast conditions, it is a challenge. I am used to challenges, bring on another one.”
With the partnership between Shastri and captain Kohli set to be key as India look for success, the new coach has revealed that the difference in opinion between the batsman and Kumble has not crossed his mind.
Shastri added: “I have not spoken to Kohli. I don’t know what happened in those 12 months. I will start afresh. Whatever I have to discuss with Virat will stay between Virat and me.”
It’s not Shastri’s first time in the India coaching set-up, having been team director before Kumble’s appointment as coach last year.
He will be joined by Zaheer Khan who has been named bowling consultant and Rahul Dravid, who will be India’s overseas batting consultant for the Test team.
A Cricket Advisory Committee consisting of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman made the appointments, with Shastri quick to claim there are no qualms between the pair despite being engaged in a bitter war of words last year, when Shsatri failed to appear in person during the coach selection interview and later lost out to Kumble.
On his equation with former India captain Ganguly, Shastri said: “We are two former captains, there will be arguments. But there is mutual respect.”
In a statement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said: “Mr Shastri has been the team director in the past and brings with him a wealth of experience, both as player and as coach.
“The Board appreciates the contribution of the Cricket Advisory Committee for recommending these appointments which will take Indian cricket to greater heights.”