Ravi Shastri leaves Indian cricket with his head held high, labels his side 'one of the greatest cricket teams'

Ravi Shastri will no longer be on the dugout of the men’s national cricket team and he now leaves behind a unique imprint on Indian cricket history where he has previously served with much distinction in several capacities. In August 2017, when Ravi Shastri took over the job from Anil Kumble, he was asked about his exact role and what he was looking to add to the side. “My role is to be in charge of the entire support staff and make sure that we get the boys in great mental space to go out and express themselves with nothing else on their mind; but to go out and play a brand of cricket which you have seen India play over last three years, that is positive and fearless.”

“How will you go about achieving it?” “That’s the skill. That is the reason that you are there and I am here.” Although the quip might’ve sounded discourteous and even rude back then, it has proven to be nothing but the truth with the passage of time.

RAVI SHASTRI MADE THE TEAM FEARLESS

In his capacity, Ravi Shastri not only motivated the side, but he also removed outside influences and the noise surrounding the players, to make sure they perform at their optimal levels. Shastri was never shy of offering himself to the frontline as the fodder for criticism and trolls if it meant shielding his own players.

Must Watch: A stirring speech to sign off as the #TeamIndia Head Coach ? ?

Here’s a snippet from @RaviShastriOfc‘s team address in the dressing room, reflecting on the team’s journey in the last few years. ? ? #T20WorldCup #INDvNAM

Watch ? ?https://t.co/x05bg0dLKH pic.twitter.com/IlUIVxg6wp

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 9, 2021

Along with captain Kohli, Shastri managed to assemble what is certainly the greatest Test side in the history of the country. The focus was shifted back to the bowlers and under bowling coach Bharat Arun’s guidance, they became the backbone for the success of the Indian side. India played 43 Tests under Ravi Shastri and ended up winning 25 Tests, drawing 5 and losing 13. Sure, the ICC World Test Championship victory might’ve eluded them but assessing two years of competitiveness with just a single fixture is quite misleading.

From pushing for Rohit Sharma to open in Tests to ensuring proper fitness protocols were in place for India to actually have fast bowlers who could bowl 140 plus regularly, from backing Rishabh Pant and managing the expectations around him to planning to bowl mid and leg-stump in Australia and making sure it worked even with half the senior side out injured, Ravi Shastri’s list of hits are too long to be touched upon here.

IT’S BEEN FABULOUS – RAVI SHASTRI ON HIS TENURE

“The quality of cricket this team has played over the last five years across all formats, the performances are there for everyone to see,” Shastri said in his press conference. “When you perform in that fashion, when you go across the globe, across all formats and beat teams, then you know you’re part of one great cricket team. I’m not saying a great cricket team, India – I’m saying one of the great cricket teams in the history of the game, because if you look at those kind of performances, they don’t happen often. You’ve got to have a bunch of players who are fit, hungry, fearless, have the quality, have the belief, and then to stay fit so that you can play those five years together and go across the globe and perform everywhere.”

“If you want the real highlights, nothing beats Australia, England, we’re up in the series, it’ll be longest time will be up in the series till next year [sic]. I might be commentating on that game, for all you know, but I’ll keep that one. It feels good. But white-ball, everywhere: we beat West Indies in the West Indies, we’ve beaten Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka – good teams. All round, it’s been fabulous.”