'There is no need to remove Ravi Shastri as the head coach' - Kapil Dev gives his thoughts on Dravid vs Shastri debate

Rahul Dravid accompanying the Indian cricket team on their tour to Sri Lanka has given rise to the question as to whether Dravid can replace Ravi Shastri as the full-time head coach of the Indian cricket team. Dravid has already gained appreciation from experts and fans for the way he has coached the junior Indian players.

Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev offered his thoughts on this topic. Dev felt that there is no need to speak about this topic at this juncture, and people can wait for the Sri Lankan series to get over before making conclusions

The 62-year-old Kapil Dev also added that there is nothing wrong in grooming the next Indian coach, but maintained that Ravi Shastri has done a good job and there is no reason to remove him either.

“I don’t think there is any need to speak about it. Let this Sri Lanka series get over. We’ll get to know the kind of performance our team has dished out. If you’re trying to groom a new coach, there’s nothing wrong with it. Then again, if Ravi Shastri continues to do a good job, there’s no reason to remove him either. Only time will tell. Before that, I think it will put unnecessary pressure on our coaches and players,” said Kapil Dev as quoted by My Khel.

Indian team has big bench strength: Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev further opined that the Indian cricket team has tremendous bench strength and if India can have two separate teams that can emerge triumphant in England and Sri Lanka, it is the best thing that can happen to Indian cricket.

“Indian team has big bench strength. If players get the opportunity and India can assemble two teams that can claim to win in both England and Sri Lanka, there is nothing better,” said Dev.

Kapil Dev also stated that there is nothing wrong if youngsters are provided a chance to prove their worth to the team management. Dev concluded by adding that the team management should decide whether two Indian teams can be fielded simultaneously.

“If the youngsters get the opportunity, there’s nothing wrong with it. But if it is up to the team management to decide whether they should apply such pressure on two teams simultaneously,” concluded Dev.