Initially, Ravi Shastri was not keen for reappointment as head coach

Ravi Shastri has been declared the successor of Anil Kumble after a lot of drama and suspense. In what unfolded like a 90’s Bollywood movie, Shastri will begin his second innings as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. With Virat Kohli by his side, the former Indian all-rounder has bagged a two-year contract from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and will be at the helm until the World Cup 2019.

After bagging the lucrative contract, Shastri in an interview revealed that he was not willing to be the Indian head coach for a second time, especially after how he was removed previously. The news is quite shocking for the cricket enthusiasts. Shastri said that he was not serious about it at first.

“I had not really wrapped my head around the gravity of the situation. There was nothing personal. I really hadn’t begun to understand the seriousness of this,” revealed Shastri.

How did he change his mind?

He introspected about his decision and thought that he is the best and the most eligible candidate to manage the Men in Blue. Moreover, he has managed this team before. “When I sat down and gave it a serious thought, I began to tell myself: here is a unit that I have been part of and enjoyed a great working relationship. I have been part of the unit that helped it become number one. I thought the onus is on me now to make it work again, in the best interests of everybody involved,” revealed Shastri.

The likes of Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody were sidelined by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) to appoint Ravi as the new coach. As soon as his name was announced, the Indian cricket loyalists have split into two halves- one which supports Shastri and one which does not. CAC-member Sourav Ganguly was also not willing to have him as the coach. Hence, we can surely use the phrase that Shastri said in the interview- the onus is on him now.