The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli expressed gratitude to the outgoing coaching staff – Ravi Shastri, Bharat Arun, and R Sridhar for their enormous contributions in making Team India a force to reckon with. The coaching stint of Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar ended on Monday, November 8, 2021, with the side’s last match of the T20 World Cup against Namibia.
Tweeting about the same, Virat Kohli wrote: “Thank you for all the memories and the amazing journey we’ve had as a team with you all. Your contribution has been immense and will always be remembered in Indian cricket history. Wish you the best moving forward in life. Until next time.”
Thank you for all the memories and the amazing journey we've had as a team with you all. Your contribution has been immense and will always be remembered in Indian cricket history. Wish you the best moving forward in life. Until next time ⭐🤝 pic.twitter.com/42hx4Q7cfq
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 10, 2021
Shastri’s partnership with skipper Virat Kohli, who stepped down as T20 captain on Monday, will always be considered as one of the most successful in Indian cricket. Under his tutelage, the team became a formidable traveling outfit in the longest format, spending 42 months at the top of the ICC rankings.
ALSO READ: PNG withdraw from Women’s World Cup Qualifiers after COVID-19 outbreak
On Shastri’s watch, India won the T20I series in South Africa, New Zealand, England, and Australia. Shastri will be replaced by former India captain Rahul Dravid when the team returns home from the United Arab Emirates to host New Zealand in a series of three T20Is and two Tests from November 17.
Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri has hinted that he might return to cricket commentary. The 59-year-old was a celebrated commentator before he became the head coach of the Indian team. The side is leading 2-1 in the five-Test series in England set to be completed next year.
ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra questions over the non-selection of Hardik Pandya
The departure of Shastri and Co. marks the end of an era in Indian cricket. From November 17, Rohit Sharma will be India’s new skipper in T20Is with Rahul Dravid in charge as head coach. It is expected that Rohit will take over the reins of ODI captaincy as well during the tour of South Africa.
