Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has opened up on how his relationship with criticism has evolved over the years, especially when feedback turns personal. Drawing on decades of experience as an international cricketer, head coach, and broadcaster, Shastri offered candid insights into how time and maturity have shaped his outlook across different phases of his career.

Now 63, Shastri admitted that criticism affected him deeply during his early playing days. Like most professional athletes, I found personal remarks hard to digest, particularly when they crossed the line from performance-based analysis to personal attacks. However, with experience, the former India all-rounder learned to filter opinions and focus only on feedback that genuinely helped him grow.

“When I was a player, I would be criticised. And when it got personal, it would disappoint me. But then as time goes by you know how to handle those situations. I prefer criticism that’s constructive. Right?”

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Shastri was speaking at an ICC event organised in association with Marriott Bonvoy, where he reflected on the lessons cricket has taught him beyond the field. Transitioning into broadcasting brought a different set of challenges. As one of the most recognisable voices in cricket commentary, Shastri stressed that honesty and professional detachment are non-negotiable. Despite sharing close relationships with players and former teammates, he believes a commentator’s primary duty is to the viewer and the game itself.

“When I became a broadcaster, I said, ‘I’ve divorced the dressing room. And I will speak on what I see. It doesn’t matter if you are my colleague or you are my friend when I was playing the game. I will speak on what I see because I have to let the viewer know the truth. Okay?’ So that is my opinion.”

Ravi Shastri said : “One thing that I did as a coach is that when things didn’t go well, I was clear to the team, ‘You deserve the criticism. I deserve it too.’ And then turn it around. And let your sport do the talking, rather than you taking off on someone unnecessarily.” pic.twitter.com/ZNbFi5j4Ez

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) January 23, 2026

Reflecting on his tenure as India’s head coach, Shastri acknowledged that criticism is inevitable in such a high-pressure role. With expectations sky-high in Indian cricket, he learned not to get emotionally attached to either success or failure, understanding that both are part of the job.

“As a coach again, but that’s something you expect. And, I, in my tenure there, there were good moments and there were rough moments, but again you just got to take it in your stride because you know, there’s another game coming up.”

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Shastri summed it up with a reality check that resonates across modern sport, where public opinion can swing rapidly. “One day you’re in a pole position, the next day you’re in a troll position… So just take it in your stride.” His words underline a simple truth: longevity in cricket, on or off the field, demands resilience, clarity, and perspective.