Dinesh Karthik, wicket-keeper batsman, praised outgoing head coach Ravi Shastri and the rest of the coaching staff for their contributions during their tenure with the Indian team. The T20 World Cup 2021 marked their last assignment as they chose not to re-apply for the posts.
Rahul Dravid has been formally announced by the BCCI as the next head coach, with the rest of the appointments to be declared soon.
Dinesh Karthik Wishes People To Remember This Set Of Coaching Staff For Contributions In Winning Many Bilateral Series
Dinesh Karthik noted that the glaring absence of ICC silverware should not be the first thing that is associated with the trio. He explained how each member of the coaching staff brought something to the table and improved the quality and depth of the team.
“We always talk about how Shastri was not able to deliver a ICC title but we should also speak about how many bilateral series we won under him, it was second to none. I wish people remember this set of coaching staff for all the things they achieved in terms of batting, bowling and fielding, ” said Dinesh Karthik.
He talked about the improvement in the fielding and bowling department.
“R Sridhar has been fabulous in that department, the level of fielding has gone upto a couple of notches. Going abroad, picking up 20 wickets consistently, so B Arun has done a fabulous job over a period of time. Credit to Shastri, for pulling up the team when the chips were down,” Dinesh Karthik elaborated.
Ravi Shastri, the outgoing India coach, hoped India would make a strong comeback under Rahul Dravid in the next ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in October. However, India failed to reach the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 after suffering defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand in the Super 12 matches.
Simon Doull: Ravi Shastri’s Combinational With Virat Kohli Has Been Exceptional
Simon Doull was also all praise for the way head coach Ravi Shastri and others transformed the Indian side into a force to be reckoned with. He noted how the combination of skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri took Indian cricket forward.
“Shastri’s legacy will be the bilateral series and the depth that has been created. His combination with Virat has been exceptional. This tournament should not be what should be used to judge the coaches. Shastri has left the Indian team in an incredibly strong position.”
Rahul Dravid will have two captains to manage, with Virat Kohli having stepped down from his role as the T20 skipper. Dinesh Karthik feels that Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid will click right away. He is eager to see how Virat Kohli forges a dynamic with Rahul Dravid, given their contrasting personalities.
Dinesh Karthik added: “Rohit and Rahul know each other well, they will be in constant touch during this whole process. It will be interesting to see the Kohli-Dravid dynamic. Very different personalities, they have not worked too much together as well. Maybe a season with RCB together”
It is to be noted that Virat Kohli reportedly did not share a good rapport with Anil Kumble, which eventually led to his exit as the coach of the team. The dynamic between a coach and the captain is pivotal to the team’s success.
Ravi Shastri achieved back-to-back Test series wins in Australia in his tenure, but an ICC trophy eluded him and skipper Virat Kohli. Ravi Shastri also heaped praise on outgoing bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar, whose tenures too ended with the team’s World Cup campaign.
Rahul Dravid’s first assignment will be the home series against New Zealand, starting on November 17, for which BCCI is likely to announce a new T20I captain as the 2021 T20I World Cup was Virat Kohli’s last as India’s shortest format leader.