Former India player and head coach Ravi Shastri has claimed that he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of becoming the coach of an IPL team in the future. He said while speaking to Ravichandran Ashwin. While the IPL has seen several Indian players take centre stage, Shastri said that his focus would be on getting the best out of the youth as well.
Speaking to Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Ravi Shastri said, “You don’t rule that out. Once you have been involved with the game and played the game and you wanted to contribute to the youth, then that will always linger in your mind. If I ever go there, it will be precisely for that reason. Not to see the superstars carrying on the way they are, but to cultivate, identify and groom talent, and take them through the roof.”
However, Ravi Shastri also opened up on the importance of passing on the knowledge he had as a coach to the youngsters as long as he was in touch with the game as well. Notably, Ravi Shastri’s tenure as India’s head coach ended after the 2021 T20 World Cup. Ravichandran Ashwin also asked Shastri if he tried to be the coach of an IPL team almost immediately. But he was quick to dismiss the rumours as well.
he wanted to rejuvenate by getting back to broadcasting.
“You know, there is no doubting the experience you have and what you can bring to the table, but after 7 years with the Indian team, especially those times — you were there — the toughest time that game has seen since the World War II — during Covid, quarantine and the bubbles, you just wanted ta break from the dugout, the dressing room and everything. The broadcasting and the mic gave me the freedom to express myself again. And have some fun,” Shastri said.
Ravi Shastri was also a part of the dressing room when India clinched a famous win in the Lord’s Test against England in 2021 as well. During that Test, a heated exchange took place between James Anderson and some of the Indian players at the end of the day’s play as well.
“What’s wrong with that? You got a bat in your hand. There’s no rule that tail-enders you shouldn’t (bounce). Then declare the innings, no? If it gets too hot in the kitchen and you don’t want to be there, then stay inside, be clear, your fingers are fine, everything is fine, you can bowl as much as you want so that you’re not injured,” he concluded. “Forget spirit. I believe in rules. You (Ashwin) mankaded a guy, it is rules, there’s a rule book, observe the damn rules. A guy running two steps ahead, ‘It’s not fair, you should warn me.’ For what warn? The rule says you’re cheating. I hate warnings. I ll take the bails off straightaway. On your bike now! Rule book page 33. Don’t whinge and moan after the event. It’s there. Its same for both teams.”
