‘What do you need that many breaks for to be honest?’ - Ravi Shastri criticizes Rahul Dravid's absence in New Zealand series

Players taking a break to manage their workload has become a common thing in the cricketing world but coaches doing the same is a common phenomenon that has been spotted in Indian cricket. The former Head Coach of the side Ravi Shastri questioned its importance and took a dig at Rahul Dravid for missing the New Zealand series that’s scheduled to begin on Friday, November 18.

Shastri, who never missed a series as India’s coach, finds it difficult to understand the motive behind this move. Shastri for once didn’t continue in the role of a Head Coach as he didn’t want to spend so much time on the road. In a virtual press conference on Thursday, the 60-year-old clearly clarified how he doesn’t believe in breaks and stated why a coach should always be there with the team.

“I do not believe in breaks. Because I want to understand my team, I want to understand my players and I want to then, be in control of that team. These breaks... what do you need that many breaks for to be honest? You get your 2-3 months of the IPL, that's enough for you to rest as a coach. But other times, I think a coach should be hands on, whoever he is,” Shastri said.

Shastri shares his idea of India’s roadmap for 2024 T20 World Cup

After a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, team India is likely to change their strategy in the shortest format of the game. India’s stand-by coach VVS Laxman on the eve of their match against New Zealand clarified how the team wants to bring in new players and will only focus on T20 specialists going forward.

Ravi Shastri agreed with the former India international and spoke about the importance of identifying those talents and grooming them accordingly.

“I think that is the way forward. VVS is right. They will identify the specialists, especially with youngsters because going forward, that should be the mantra. Two years from now, identify and make that Indian team into a terrific fielding side and of course identify roles for these youngsters who could be fearless. And go out there and play that kind of cricket without any baggage whatsoever,” Shastri added.