Newly appointed coach Ravi Shastri said he is not shy of challenges and has asked to bring it on. Shastri has the belief that this Indian team under Virat Kohli has the potential to be the greatest team India has ever had in their history. The Indian team had a golden Test season in 2016-17 when they won 10 out of 13 Test matches. They whitewashed New Zealand 3-0, beat England 4-0 and Australia 2-1. Besides that, they even went on to win ODI series against England and New Zealand and T20I series against England.
Besides the wins, it was the contribution from every individual that stood out in the grand home season. India found two robust bowlers in form of Umesh and Shami, while their spinners were invincibles on home pitches. Barring one test, the batting did click every time too.
India plays Sri Lanka in a 3-Test series in July. But a bigger assignment for team India lies at the end of the year i.e. the tour to South Africa. Coach Shastri believes India has the potential to beat South Africa in their backyard.
“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,” Shastri was quoted as saying by a news channel from London.
“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”