During the forgettable Test series in England this year, India head coach Ravi Shastri had caused quite a stir by calling the current side the best travelling Indian team in the last 15-20 years.
The comment came at a time when India was facing the heat for yet another poor series outside Asia. India had travelled to England on the back of 10 series wins in the previous 11 series. But the form counted for little as England thrashed them 4-1 to win the five-match series. Prior to that, India had also lost a series in South Africa this year.
Things then became worse when Shastri said that current side is the best travelling side from India in the last two decade or so, thus blatantly ignoring the achievements of some great sides of the past.
“I can’t see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that has had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, and it’s just about getting tougher mentally. You have got to hurt when you lose matches because that’s when you look within and come out with the right kind of answers to combat such situations and get past the finishing line. One day you will if you believe,” Ravi Shastri had said.
Not surprisingly, Shastri faced the heat from several quarters. And the latest to slam him is former India opener Gautam Gambhir.
The outspoken star not only slammed the India coach but also questioned his achievements in his career.
“I am not sure how people who haven’t won anything, give these types of statements. I don’t know what Ravi Shastri has achieved in his career apart from World series in Australia. I don’t think so he has been part of any overseas win. So when you haven’t won yourself, how can you give such kind of statements. I am sure people would not have taken it seriously and I am sure he must have not seen enough cricket. Had he seen enough cricket, he would not have given that kind of a statement because that was very childish,” he told CricketNext.
India, meanwhile, will have a chance to improve their overseas record by winning the ongoing series against Australia. The Virat Kohli-led side has already made a fine start to the series by winning the first Test in Adelaide.