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Ravi Shastri Takes On-Air 'Sweeping' Dig At Indian Players During World Cup Opener

image-lnd5zi0xShastri takes a dig at the Indian team [Twitter]

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri took an unexpected dig at Indian batters during the 2023 World Cup opener between England and New Zealand on Thursday (October 5) in Ahmedabad. 

Shastri, who was the head of India's support staff for the best part of seven years from 2014 to 2021, hinted that Indian players were hesitant sweepers of the ball despite constant encouragement during his tenure. 

In a rare public criticism of his players, Shastri said Indian batters were so used to accumulating runs during his period at the helm of affairs, that they were wary and anxious of taking calculative risks such as the sweep and the reverse sweep versus spinners and seamers alike, which allowed the bowler to dictate terms. 


"I literally had to push them to try something different": Shastri

The experienced personality made his remarks on Indian batters on air during his commentary stint for England's first-innings batting effort in Ahmedabad. As England No.3 Joe Root played an extraordinary reverse sweep against New Zealand in the middle of his innings, Shastri couldn't help but speak for once about the wrongs during his tenure as India head coach. 

Known for publicly defending his wards and going to the extent of calling it the best-ever Indian team under former skipper Virat Kohli, Shastri, however, wasn't amused by the attitude towards innovation as a batting unit as players in the change room were "hesitant to make a change" and afraid of "what they might lose".

"Full credit to Root to adapt to what the team needs (after reverse six). You get batters who are so stubborn. I speak from experience of sitting in a dressing room where a lot of players were hesitant to make a change because they're afraid of what they might lose," Shastri said on air. 

When asked by Shastri's commentary colleague if it means the Kohli-led side ignored his advice on matters, the former India allrounder said while there was keenness to learn and discuss changes, he "literally had to push them to try something different". 

"No, no. I literally has to push them to try something different. Because they are so used to accumulating those runs over the years. Sometimes you forget you got to evolve with the times. Because the opponent is evolving. He knows your game. He is upon you," Shastri added. 

India will play their first game of the World Cup 2023 against Australia on October 8. The game will take place at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium.