Former Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri has acknowledged that he was unhappy with the 2019 ODI World Cup squad selection. He was particularly baffled by the decision to pick three wicketkeepers. However, Shastri also conceded that he never interfered in selection matters. India’s squad selection for the 2019 World Cup caused a massive uproar when Ambati Rayudu was not picked. Talking about the same, Shastri said either Rayudu or Shreyas Iyer should have been in the team instead of three wicketkeepers.
During a recent interview with Times of India, Ravi Shastri said, “I had no say in that (team selection). But I wasn’t okay with three wicketkeepers being picked for the World Cup. Either Ambati or Shreyas could’ve come in. What was the logic in having MS Dhoni, Rishabh [Pant], and Dinesh [Karthik] altogether?”
ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Showered High Praises On Rishabh Pant And Shubman Gill
He further added, “But I never interfered with the selectors’ work, except when I was asked for feedback or as part of a general discussion.”
India had an impressive run in the 2019 ODI World Cup held in England before losing the semi-final against the Kiwis in Manchester. Chasing a target of 240, India collapsed to 24 for 4 before half-centuries from Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni lifted them, eventually, teh men in blue lost the game by 18 runs.
Under the mentorship of Ravi Shastri, India’s fast bowling department developed into one of the best in the business and Jasprit Bumrah has had become a crucial cog. There were apprehensions over his Test utility of Bumrah, he answered his critics with a memorable Test debut in South Africa.
Talking about Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Shastri asserted, “Cape Town was on my mind almost two months before we had landed there. I and (Bharat) Arun were at a function in Kolkata during Durga Puja when I called Jasprit. It was September 2017, and I told him to be ‘ready’ for SA. That guy couldn’t believe – all he said was ‘playing Test cricket is my dream’.”
ALSO READ: Ravi Shastri Reveals His Lowest Point As India’s Head Coach
Praising Jasprit Bumrah further, Shastri said, “The spell he bowled in the second innings at Cape Town – that’s just what we had expected him to do. And that was just the start. He’s a quick learner and has a good attitude. The only other bowler in India who took the same amount of time to declare himself to the world – that here’s great – was Kapil Dev.”
While India suffered a 2-1 loss in the three-match series, Jasprit Bumrah claimed seven wickets in the famous Test win in Johannesburg, including his maiden five-for in the first innings.
