‘I would like to invite them for a drink’ – Ravi Shastri takes a jibe at social media trollers

Ravi Shastri’s tenure as Team India’s head coach has come to an end and the southpaw is satisfied with his stint. Having taken over the position at the helm since 2017, the former Indian all-rounder certainly did a commendable job as a coach. Under him, India recorded numerous memorable triumphs including a couple of Test series win on Australian soil.

Besides success, however, Shastri also faced a fair amount of trolling on social media. The 59-year-old has often been a butt of jokes and was even blamed whenever India failed to do well. Although some of the posts might be offending, Shastri said he doesn’t mind the memes and jokes even though people had a laugh at his expense.

There are bottles everywhere; it is a laugh at my expense: Ravi Shastri

“I quite enjoyed some of them (memes). That’s talent also. When they suddenly make me have a paunch, then it disappears the next day. There are bottles everywhere, it is a laugh at my expense. So at least in tough times you kept people in good humour. I would like to invite some of them for a drink,” Shastri told India Today.

Meanwhile, Shastri’s last assignment wasn’t a fruitful one as India got knocked out of the league stage of the T20 World Cup 2021. The Virat Kohli-led side suffered humiliating defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand and subsequently, failed to qualify for the knock-out stage. Although Shastri would have wanted his side to do better, he’s pleased with his overall tenure.

“This tenure has given me more job satisfaction than anything else. When in this job, you are just with your coaching staff. All you can do is create a mindset that allows the boys to play freely once they are out and giving back something. It has entailed a lot of sacrifice, especially in the last year and a half during Covid which cricket has not seen since the Second World War,” Shastri added.

Shastri has now passed on the baton to former Indian captain Rahul Dravid. India will host New Zealand in three T20Is and two Tests in their upcoming assignment and Dravid would be determined to make a mark in his first project.