Kapil Dev, BCCI
Kapil Dev, BCCI

Kapil Dev feels there is no reason to remove Ravi Shastri as India’s head coach if he continues to do a good job. 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev believes there is no reason to remove the present head coach if he continues to do a good job.

Speculations are rife that Rahul Dravid will take over as India’s head coach when Ravi Shastri’s tenure comes to an end at the end of the T20 World Cup slated in the UAE later this year.

Former India skipper Kapil Dev (Photo | PTI)
Former India skipper Kapil Dev (Photo | PTI)

Kapil Dev: No Reason To Remove Ravi Shastri If He Continues To Do A Good Job

Notably, Rahul Dravid is coaching a young Indian side in the absence of regular coach Ravi Shastri, who is in England presently with the Indian Test side which is being led by Virat Kohli. Veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan will lead India in Sri Lanka with pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar as his deputy.

Under Ravi Shastri, India defeated Australia in Australia twice and reached the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup and the WTC Final, but lost both the knockout games to New Zealand after starting as favourites.

Ravi Shastri. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Ravi Shastri. (Photo Source: Twitter)

“I don’t think there is any need to speak about it. Let this Sri Lanka series get over. We’ll get to know the kind of performance our team has dished out. If you’re trying to shape a new coach, there’s nothing wrong with it. Then again, if Ravi Shastri continues to do a good job, there’s no reason to remove him either. Only time will tell. Before that, I think it will put unnecessary pressure on our coaches and players,” Kapil Dev said on the Wah Cricket Show on ABP News.

The 59-year-old Ravi Shastri’s contract comes to an end after the completion of the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November and it will also depend on whether the former India all-rounder is in a mood to re-apply. Two Indians teams are set to play in two different countries with Virat Kohli and his men gearing up for the five-Test series in England, while a Shikhar Dhawan-led team will take on hosts Sri Lanka in a limited over series.

Kapil Dev: India Has Big Bench Strength And There Is Nothing Better If India Can Assemble Two Teams Claiming To Win Both In England And Sri Lanka

Kapil Dev is in favour of deserving youngsters getting to earn their India cap, and he is concerned about the team playing too much cricket.

“India has big bench strength. If players get the opportunity and India can assemble two teams that can claim to win in both England and Sri Lanka, there is nothing better. If the youngsters get the opportunity, there’s nothing wrong with it. But if it is up to the team management to decide whether they should apply such pressure on two teams simultaneously,” Kapil pointed out.

Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Image-AP
Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar Image-AP

Shikhar Dhawan will lead a 20-man squad comprising of many youngsters who did well in IPL 2020 and/or IPL 2021. The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Krunal Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan will join an array of youngsters, some of whom are expected to make their India debuts in the island nation.

There are a few posts up for grabs with the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal eyeing big returns in the island nation. Vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead the pace attack with support from the likes of Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, and Chetan Sakariya.

Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nitish Rana, K Gowtham and Chetan Sakariya got maiden India call-ups. Yuzvendra Chahal will lead the spin department and will have support from the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, K Gowtham,  Krunal Pandya, Rahul Chahar, and Varun Chakravarthy.