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BSP-15
CRICKET-IND-SHASTRI
India’s Shastri under fire after England series defeat
NEW DELHI, Sept 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – India coach Ravi Shastri has come
under fire for his side’s humiliating 4-1 Test series loss to England — a
second consecutive away defeat for the world’s top-ranked side.
The thrashing in England, following the loss in South Africa earlier this
year, piles pressure on Shastri ahead of a tour to Australia in November and
next year’s World Cup — as well as a massive clash with arch-rivals Pakistan
next week.
Critics and former captains have rounded on the coach, particularly for
his mid-series claim that his team is the best to come out of India in 15
years.
“Self-belief is a wonderful quality; but being caught in the bubble of
your own publicity is self-defeating,” said Sambit Bal, chief editor of
cricket website Cricinfo, on Twitter.
“India had their moments but the scorecards say 4-1 and India weren’t as
good as they should have been,” said noted commentator Harsha Bhogle. “This
is two overseas disappointments in a row now.”
Prior to the final Test at the Oval — which India lost by 118 runs —
Shastri had raised eyebrows with lavish praise for his side.
“If you look at the last three years, we have won nine matches overseas
and three series. I can’t see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years
that has had the same run in such a short time,” he said.
India have won two recent series in Sri Lanka and one in the West Indies.
But his comments rankled former star players.
Sourav Ganguly, who was part of the committee that appointed Shastri last
year, dismissed the coach’s claims as “immature”, telling Indian television
Shastri must improve the team.
Sunil Gavaskar pointed out that Indian teams of the 1980s had won series
in England and the West Indies — as well as a series victory in England as
recently as 2007.
“The best travelling teams are made by performances on the ground and not
by sitting in the dressing room and talking about it,” added former Test
opener Virender Sehwag.
Captain Virat Kohli leapt to his coach’s defence following the final Test
on Tuesday.
Asked about Shastri’s pre-match comments, Kohli said: “We have to believe
we are the best side, why not?”
In a tetchy exchange, Kohli turned the question on a journalist, who
responded “I am not sure”. Kohli hit back: “You’re not sure. That is your
opinion. Thank you.”
Shastri now has to immediately lift the side for the six-nation Asia Cup
starting in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday — without the brilliant
Kohli, who is being rested.
The whole country will be watching as they take on arch-rivals Pakistan on
September 19, with Rohit Sharma to lead the side throughout the 50-over
contest.
India then have two Tests at home to West Indies before four Tests in
Australia.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1646 hrs