Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that he was not consulted by the selection team while picking the squad for the 2019 ODI World Cup. In an interview with Times of India, Shastri said that there was no logic behind having three wicket-keepers in the squad. However, the former head coach admits that he never interfered with selection-related matters. The role of the head coach is to bring the best out of players.
Many were left shocked at the time after Ambati Rayudu was dropped from the 2019 World Cup. Rayudu was consistently performing before the marquee tournament and had an average of 45+. However, surprisingly he was left out of the squad with all-rounder Vijay Shankar making the cut. Also, Captain Virat Kohli had openly admitted in the run-up to the 2019 World Cup that Rayudu will be India’s no.4 batter in the World Cup. He was in the scheme of things right from the start but was snubbed by the national selectors.
“I had no say in that. But I wasn’t okay with three wicketkeepers being picked for the World Cup. Either Ambati or Shreyas could’ve come in. What was the logic in having MS Dhoni, Rishabh, and Dinesh all together? But I never interfered with the selectors’ work, except when I was asked for feedback or as part of a general discussion.”
Not winning the ICC Test championship final hurts me the most: Ravi Shastri
Shastri said that one thing that hurts him the most is the ICC Test championship. India dominated the whole tournament and was No.1 for five years and we didn’t deserve to lose the one-off game. New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets in the World Test Championship final at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Chasing 139 runs to win, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (52 not out) and Ross Taylor (47 not out) put on a match-winning 96 run stand to take their team home.
“There are so many firsts this team has achieved. Yet, there’s a disappointment. With this kind of team, we failed at not one, two but three ICC trophies. But the one that rankles me the most is the ICC Test championship. We had dominated and were No.1 for five years and we didn’t deserve to lose the one-off game.” Shastri said.
“We went through quarantine. New Zealand were better prepared. They had just won the series against England in England. Conditions suited them like home. But we should’ve at least drawn it, especially after beginning at 60 for no loss. That loss disappointed me no end.”
India were favourites to win the 2019 World cup, coming into the semis with 7 wins out of 9 matches including 1 draw vs New Zealand in the league stage. Chasing a target of 240, India collapsed to 24 for 4 before half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni gave some hopes. India, eventually, lost the match by 18 runs.
“Our other best chance was the 2019 World Cup. I’m not so rankled by the 2021 T20 WC exit – to be honest we weren’t among the best sides. But 2019 hurts equally bad. The start we had, then the game being carried on to the next day.” he added
