(Cricket news) Ravi Shastri's 4 year tenure as the head coach of the Indian cricket team has come to an end. It wasn't the end people expected as India's group stage match against Namibia in the T20I World Cup turned out to be his last as India failed to qualify for the semi finals.
During Shastri's tenure he and captain Virat Kohli led the Indian side to success all around the world across all formats . Ravi Shastri leaves a legacy for Indian coaches as he is the first long term successful Indian coach. John Wright changed the perception of coaches of the Indian cricket team. Gary Kirsten and Duncan Fletcher took the mantle forward. Shastri's appointment and eventual success is proof that India no longer needs to rely on foreign coaches to deliver success.
Under Ravi Shastri, India became a formidable force in red ball cricket as they won a series in Australia for the first time ever in 2019 and then went on to do it again in 2021. Shastri's last Test match in England was postponed and India are leading the series 2-1. Which means that India have at least drawn the series which will be a first since 2007. India were on top of the ICC Test Team Rankings charts for 42 months between 2016-20. For the first time in history India whitewashed the West Indies away from home.
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India also defeated Sri Lanka 9-0 across all formats under the guidance of Ravi Shastri. The Asia cup in 2018 victory was the white ball highlight of his tenure. India also reached the World Test Championship final in 2021 and the World Cup final in 2019. India also won the T20I series in all SENA countries under Shastri's watch.
Ravi Shastri is a legend of Indian cricket as a match winning player back in his day to an exemplary broadcaster to now an excellent coach. His successor Rahul Dravid is no less of a legend who comes in with high expectations. Dravid has been given a great platform to take this team to the next level. There have been rumours that Ravi Shastri will be a coach of one the new IPL teams. Cricket fans would certainly hope to see him return to the commentary box.
