'The boys are mentally and physically drained' - Ravi Shastri opines India wanted a bigger gap between the IPL and T20 World Cup

The tenure of India’s Head Coach Ravi Shastri will end after the conclusion of the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup. And, with his tenure coming to an end, Shastri has opened up on various aspects of the Indian cricket team.

The current 59-year-old said that when he took up the job of the Head Coach, he wanted to make a difference and he has accomplished that. Shastri also added that the current Indian side is one of the greatest in the history of cricket. Shastri also added that the Virat Kohli-led Indian side has beaten teams in all formats in their own backyards as well during his tenure.

“I think it’s been fantastic. When I took this job, I said in my mind that I want to make a difference. And I think I have. Sometimes in life, it’s not about all you accomplish, it’s about what you overcome. And what these guys have overcome in the last 5 years, the way they’ve performed in all corners of the world in all formats will make this one of the greatest teams in the history of the game.

I’ve no doubt about that. Plenty across all formats, but winning in red-ball cricket across the globe, to go and beat all these sides. Then every team in white-ball cricket, whether T20 or 50 overs, we’ve beaten sides in their den. We were always labelled bullies at home, but this team has shown that (up),” said Ravi Shastri in the pre-match interview before the clash between India and Namibia.

Rahul Dravid will raise the bar: Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri also added that the next Indian coach, Rahul Dravid will raise the bar, and Virat Kohli has done a fantastic job as the leader of the Indian cricket team. Shastri also added that he is mentally drained at the end of his tenure, and even the Indian cricketers are also drained out as well.

Shastri also added that India would have liked to have a much bigger gap between the 14th IPL season and the 2021 T20 World Cup, and concluded by stating that spending 6 months inside a bio bubble is difficult.

“I think in Rahul Dravid they’ve got a guy who has inherited a great team and with his stature and experience it can only raise the bar. Virat has done a fantastic job as leader of the side, one of the best ambassadors of Test cricket. A lot of credit goes to him.

I am mentally drained but I expect that at my age. These guys are physically and mentally drained. We would have liked a bigger gap between IPL and this. Six months in a bubble is tough. Not an excuse, we are not scared of losing – in trying to win you will lose a game,” concluded Ravi Shastri.