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Efforts Were Made To Sabotage My Appointment As Indian Coach Ravi Shastri

Efforts were made to sabotage my appointment as Indian coach: Ravi Shastri

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri in a detailed interview with the Times of India has opened up on his two coaching tenures with the Indian national team.

He has spoken elaborately about the formation and the brand of cricket under his tutelage and how the Indian team transformed in the last few years.

When asked about his sacking and the subsequent reappointment a year or so later, Shastri stated that there were people who wanted to sabotage his second stint with the men’s team.

“During my second stint, I came after a huge controversy. And it was literally egg on the faces of those who wanted me away. They opted for someone and nine months later they came back to the very guy they threw out.” Shastri spoke on the appointment front.

“...I’m not pointing any fingers in general. Specific people. I must say an attempt was made to ensure that I don’t get the job,” Shastri stated without taking any names.

He further added that the Board of Control for Cricket in India were not very keen on appointing Bharat Arun as coach either, but then he would turn out to be one of the finest India had ever produced.

Shastri would then go on to make India a powerhouse in international cricket by finding a core fast-bowling group that would do incredible things overseas. At the core of the change would be Virat Kohli, under whose tutelage India would win their first Test series in Australia.

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India tour of South Africa 2021-22

Walk the talk - How Ravi Shastri found the captain in Virat Kohli

When Ravi Shastri entered the Indian dressing room during his first tenure as the Indian coach, the Indian team was in a disarray. Rocked by back to back overseas defeats in the longest format of the game, the confidence meter was right at the bottom. Shastri took his time and turned that team into a champion Test squad that would go on to dominate all conditions over the next five years, and at the core of that was Virat Kohli. In an interview with The Times of India, the former Indian coach spoke of the time when he took charge as the director of the team and how he found the captain in Virat Kohli. “...once I came on board, my first challenge was to identify who could walk the talk,” explained Shastri. He added that he found Virat Kohli as the person, who possessed the character, game and personality to fill in Dhoni’s shoes. “We began to talk on various issues - batting techniques, the path forward, lots of things. And I think it really came to surface in Australia, when he finally bought into everything we discussed. He was absolutely ready to walk the talk - not just in the way he played his game but the way we wanted to play the team.” “We lost that series 2-0 but I remember Alan Border walking up to me at the end of the series in Sydney and said, ‘Rav, well done man. Not many teams bat out the last day to save Test matches at colosseums’.” Kohli and Shastri would then go onto establish India as the best touring side in the world, winning Test series across almost all conditions. The highlighted of the duo would be India’s first victory in the Australian soil, which they would repeat in the next tour as well winning an enthralling game at the Gabba.

Madras HC shows no respite to IPS officer over defamation case filed by MS Dhoni

The Madras High Court on Thursday, 9 December, showed no mercy to IPS officer G Sampath Kumar who had requested the court to revoke a defamation case filed against him by MS Dhoni. The former Indian captain had filed a Rs 100 crore lawsuit against Kumar and others in 2014 for damaging his public image. Dhoni’s submissions to the court had claimed that a TV firm and others had telecasted malicious news that he was involved in betting and fixing of Indian Premier League matches. In 2014, Sampath Kumar had challenged Dhoni’s submission. In a counter-affidavit filed recently, Kumar alleged that the lawsuit was to gag him. Notably, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were banned for 2 years from the IPL over the charges of spot-fixing.

Lachlan Hearne replaces Ollie Davies for game against Melbourne Stars

Emerging talent in the Australian domestic circuit Lachlan Hearne has been named as a replacement for Ollie Davies for Friday’s game against Melbourne Stars. Hearne, who is yet to turn 21, is a left handed batter who first came into spotlight after his selection in the U-19 World Cup. Hearne would be sharing the dressing room with the likes of Alex Hales, Chris Green and coach Trevor Bayliss, who is known for his work with young players across the world. Davies on the other hand, who Hearne replaces in the team, has been nursing a broken finger. The right handed batter is a cult figure at the Sydney Thunder, famous in the crowd for his ability to take on the bowlers and plate up entertaining cricket in the Big Bash League. Sydney Thunder are coming off a strong win against Brisbane Heat and are unlikely to make a change in their batting order.

If asked, 100 per cent: Ravi Shastri confirms interest in coaching IPL team

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed interest in coaching an Indian Premier League team. In an interview with The Week, Shastri stated that he would ‘100 per cent like to be a franchise coach’, but only if he is asked; hinting that a suitable offer might not have been plated to him yet. There were several rumours flying around right after his tenure ended with the Indian team, that he would join one of the two new IPL franchises, but that never came to pass. Shastri, who left the team with an impeccable win/loss ratio is well regarded around the world for his fiery personality and man-management skills. Speaking on the role of a coach in the modern-day game, Shastri stated that there might come a time when the coaches will control the game from the dugout. “I think there will come a time in white-ball cricket, especially in the shortest format, when coaches will control the game from the dugout. There is just too much happening in the middle for the captain to handle. So, coaches will take on the responsibility.” Shastri currently is not affiliated with any teams but is the Commissioner of the Legends Cricket League which is scheduled to begin from January 2022.