London: Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has given a big hint that he is likely to step down from the hot seat after the ICC T20 World Cup that would be held in UAE. The former India batsman also stated that he has achieved everything as a coach, and he does not want to overstay his welcome.
“I believe so because I’ve achieved all I wanted. Five years as No.1 (in Test cricket), to win in Australia twice, to win in England,” Shastri was quoted as saying to The Guardian.
During Shastri’s tenure, India also recorded T20 series wins in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and England. Highlighting the double series victories in Australia and the possible win in England (the fifth Test was canceled with India leading 2-1), Shastri said one should never overstay at one’s welcome.
“We’ve also beaten every country in the world in their own backyard in white-ball cricket. If we win the (T20) World Cup that will be the icing on the cake. There is nothing more. I believe one thing never overstay your welcome. And I would say that, in terms of what I wanted to get out of the side, I’ve over-achieved. To beat Australia away and to lead the series in England in COVID times, we lead England 2-1, and the way we played at Lord’s and the Oval was special. It is the most satisfying moment of my four decades in cricket,” said the former player.
Shastri also added that coaching an Indian cricket is almost like coaching the football team in Brazil or England. There is always pressure to win and deliver.
“They’re not bothered if there is Covid or not. They just want you to win, and score runs. You know, being the coach of India is like being the football coach of Brazil or England. There’s always this gun pointing at you. Always. You might have six great months and then you get out for 36 and they will shoot you. Then you have to win immediately. Otherwise, they will eat into you, right through. You need a hide like mine, absolutely like leather, so it doesn’t make a difference,” he said.
Soon after, Shastri tested positive for COVID-19 and reports started emerging that he contracted the coronavirus after attending the gathering at the book launch. India was leading 2-1 against England when the fifth and final Test in Manchester was called off.
Seeing the series witnessing a premature end, Shastri faced plenty of criticism from fans. However, the India head coach said that he didn’t get infected at the event.
“There were about 250 people there and no one got Covid from that party. I’ve not got it at my book launch because it was on the 31st (August) and I tested positive on 3 September. It can’t happen in three days. I have absolutely no regrets. At the Oval Test, you were climbing stairs used by 5,000 people. So to point a finger at a book launch?”, he elaborated.
