This team can be a better Test unit than any in past: Shastri
New Delhi, July 12 (CRICKETNMORE) : Newly-appointed Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday predicted that the current team led by Virat Kohli can be a better Test unit than any Indian team of the past. Dhoni moves up in
New Delhi, July 12 (CRICKETNMORE) : Newly-appointed Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday predicted that the current team led by Virat Kohli can be a better Test unit than any Indian team of the past. Dhoni moves up in the ICC Rankings
Shastri, who served as the Team Director from 2014-2016, on Tuesday returned as the head coach of the side after prolonged deliberations by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising the trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman.
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The 55-year-old Shastri was given a two-year term till the 2019 ICC World Cup, his first and immediate assignment being the Sri Lanka tour. India are to play three Tests, five One-Day Internationals (ODI) and a one-off T20 International, starting July 26.
Exuding confidence in the Kohli-led side, the former India all-rounder said the current team has the pedigree to perform in all conditions.
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"It can be a better Test team than any Indian team we have had. This is a team you can travel with. There is a battery of pacers which can do well in all conditions. Their age is such that they are playing at the right time," Shastri was quoted as saying by a news channel from London.
Asked about the challenges of coaching the Indian team, especially after his predecessor and former India skipper Anil Kumble's one-year stint ended on a sour note amid widespread reports of a tiff with Kohli, Shastri said he is up for the challenge.
"I have always relished a challenge and I am looking forward to my stint with India. When you are asked to open the batting in overcast conditions, it is a challenge."
"I am used to challenges, bring on another one," Shastri said.
Shastri will be assisted by veteran India pacer Zaheer Khan as the bowling consultant and current India A and Under-19 coach Rahul Dravid, who was appointed as an overseas batting consultant.
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On his equation with former India captain Ganguly, Shastri said: "We are two former captains (Sourav Ganguly), there will be arguments. But there is mutual respect."
Shastri and Ganguly were engaged in a bitter war of words last year, when the former failed to appear in person during the coach selection interview and later lost out to Kumble.
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