Team India’s incumbent head coach Ravi Shastri has hinted that he might step down from the position at the end of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The global T20 meet is scheduled to take place between October 17 and November 14 in the UAE and Oman.
Shastri’s hint comes a couple of days after Virat Kohli announced that he would no longer continue as India’s T20I captain after the ICC event. Speaking to The Guardian, Ravi Shastri stated that he has achieved all he wanted.
“I believe so because I’ve achieved all I wanted,” Ravi Shastri, a decorated former India all-rounder said.
Ravi Shastri's outstanding tenure as Head Coach ends with the #T20WC. The upside is to have one of the GOAT commentators in the comm box again. The Tracer Bullets & all the #ShastriGems will be back! After his Coaching stint, totally expect him to be fierier than before!! pic.twitter.com/ytm23H5UrF
— Srini Mama (@SriniMaama16) September 18, 2021
“Five years as No 1 [in Test cricket], to win in Australia twice, to win in England. I spoke to Michael Atherton earlier this summer and said: ‘For me, this is the ultimate – to beat Australia in Australia and win in England in Covid times.’ We lead England 2-1 and the way we played at Lord’s and the Oval was special,” he added.
Ravi Shastri took over the reins after Anil Kumble stepped down as India’s head coach in 2017. However, he is yet to win an ICC title as head coach.
“Never overstay your welcome” – Ravi Shastri on coaching stint
Highlighting the double series victories in Australia and the possible win in England (the fifth Test was canceled with India leading 2-1), Ravi Shastri said one should never overstay their 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 a Covid year? It is the most satisfying moment of my four decades in cricket,” he added.