Not here to accept whatever Virat Kohli says, clarifies Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri has made it clear that he will not be obeying Virat Kohli and his teammates blindly and will make the team work according to his style. The 55-year-old stated that he would not be a ‘yes man’ guy to the skipper. Shastri was appointed the head coach on 11^th July by the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and is now ready to begin his 2^nd spell as the coach.

Speaking to India TV, Shastri mentioned that he knows his duties and responsibilities the coach and will do it his way. “Team knows my approach. They know how close they can be with me and how much of a distance they need to maintain from me. There’s a good understanding between me and the team,” he told India TV from London.

Ravi Shastri made it clear that fitness and form are the two main aspects to be taken into account while taking a call on the futures of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh.

“Their experience will be invaluable and their performance from the last 10-15 years should be respected. Fitness and current form are the two most important parameters to judge their future,” added Shastri.

Ravi Shastri has been given the duties following the stepping down of previous head coach Anil Kumble. Shastri edged past the likes of Virender Sehwag and Tom Moody to grab the role and stated that he had a nice time answering the questions thrown at him by Sachin, Sourav and Laxman.

“I got the information last night from BCCI CEO Rahul Johri. He told me that it is official and I have been appointed as the new head coach. Questions were different from last time… some good questions were being asked from all three of them – Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman. I really enjoyed the interview,” he said.

On his coaching assistants:

The BCCI roped in former cricketer and batting legend Rahul Dravid as the batting consultant whereas Zaheer Khan took over as the bowling coach. Shastri praised the decision made by the board saying it’s a step towards betterment.

Both Rahul Dravid and Zaheer Khan have played high-level cricket and they have got so much of experience. When you are out playing for 150 days and then suddenly when someone comes from outside and gives you fresh inputs, it creates a lot of difference. It is a positive step,” he said.

Speaking about team India’s schedule up front Shastri said that he is not in a hurry. He will take things up from where he left and the team has the ability to be united and deliver results consistently.

“I don’t need to immediately try out many things. I will start from where I left last year. I know this team and I would want this to be a happy unit and also consistent in all the three formats. This team has the ability to be consistent and win abroad. We are definitely ready for the challenge ahead,” he said.