18 months with Team India most cherished, says Shastri

Ravi Shastri considers his 18-month stint. as Indian cricket team’s Director, to be the “most cherished and memorable phase” of his life but chose to stay mum on whether he would seek a contract renewal.

“I have no doubt in my mind that these 18 months I have spent as the Team Director has been my best experience with Indian cricket. This has been the most memorable time of my association with Indian cricket, as a player and in the management,” Shastri said when asked about his stint with the Indian team.

“I would call it the most memorable phase of my life if I just look back at what we achieved as a team during this period. Much credit goes to the boys for making it special,” the former cricketer added.

Asked if he would apply for the Chief coach’s post for which BCCI will be advertising, Shastri gave a typical tongue-in-cheek reply. “I will only apply for accreditation of the IPL final,” Shastri quipped.

Shastri took over as the Team Director after India’s 1-3 Test series defeat against England in August 2014 and was there till the end of ICC World T20, earlier this year. “Yes, I have had success as a player. I fondly remember 1985 World Championship of Cricket, 1983 World Cup and proud of those but this phase as the Team Director was special. Look at some of the performances during this time.”

“We beat England at their home ground in ODIs. (For the) first time a team whitewashed Australia in any format (3-0 in T20s) Down Under, winning a Test series in Sri Lanka after 22 years, beating South Africa in a Test series at home after a decade.” When you take over, you set the bar high but you do not know what all you will be able to achieve,” Shastri said.

When enquired about which one out of the the following bilateral series wins was the most special, the Sri Lanka Test series or the 3-0 T20 series win in Australia, Shastri said: “That’s for you to decide as I would not like to get into comparisons.”