I didn't follow a single ball in the SA vs IND ODI series: Ravi Shastri

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that he did not follow even a single ball of the recently concluded ODI series between South Africa and India. Shastri further opened up on Virat Kohli’s decision to step down as the captain of the Indian Test side.

Shastri feels that Kohli’s decision to step down as the captain needs to be respected and he also added that there is a time for everything. Shastri also gave examples of how Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar left captaincy so that they can focus on their willow-wielding skills.

“It’s his choice. You have to respect his decision. There is a time for everything. A lot of big players in the past have left captaincy when they felt they wanted to focus on their batting or on their cricket.

Whether it’s (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Sunil) Gavaskar or (MS) Dhoni. And, it’s Virat Kohli now. As I said, I’ve not followed a single ball in the series. But I don’t think there will be too much change in Virat Kohli,” said Ravi Shastri as quoted by NDTV.

I don’t want to discuss any of my players on a public platform: Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri also added that he has spent 7 years with the Indian cricket team and he will not like to wash dirty linen in public. Shastri also revealed that he will never discuss about his players in the public.

“I took a break after seven years in the game, been part of the team. One thing is very clear, I do not wash dirty linen in public. I was very clear, the day I finished, I will be blank. I don’t want to discuss any of my players on a public platform,” said Shastri.

Shastri also dismissed claims that the standard of cricket played by the Indian side has dropped. “How can the standard go down suddenly? For five years, you have been number one side in the world,” concluded Ravi Shastri.

India will next take on the West Indies in a limited-overs series that will commence on 6th February 2022.