Former Indian cricketer Reetinder Sodhi believes it would be impossible to remove Ravi Shastri if India goes on to win the T20 World Cup.
Shastri’s contract will expire after the T20 World Cup and it will be interesting to note if he stays as the chief coach of the national team.
Shastri has done a fine job as the coach of the team as he has got the best out of the players but India hasn’t won a major title under his tenure, which could lead to his axing. The upcoming T20 World Cup is going to hold the key for Shastri and if he can take India to glory, his contract could be extended.
Reetinder Sodhi said while talking to India News, “This is speculative for sure. It will be very harsh to say that Ravi has not performed well. He has done quite well but if the parameter is winning trophies, we have not done that. But if the Indian team wins the T20 World Cup, it will be impossible to remove Ravi Shastri.”
“He has done a decent job earlier as well and winning the trophy, something we have been waiting for, I think the purpose will be filled. But end of the day, the way Rahul bhai has gone to Sri Lanka as a coach and the board rejected the proposal of two additional batsmen, you get a somewhat different signal. If you ask me, there is pressure on Ravi bhai.”
On the other hand, former India wicket-keeper batsman Saba Karim added that Ravi Shastri has done a commendable job. India went on to defeat Australia twice in the Border-Gavaskar series in 2018-19 and 2020-21 in Australia under the tutelage of the current coach.
“In the last two years, there has been only one ICC championship, i.e. the World Test Championship. The T20 World Cup which was supposed to happen last year, did not happen. I feel Ravi Shastri has done a commendable job in the last two years.”
The next aim of Ravi Shastri will be to win the five-match Test series against England after the Indian team lost the WTC Final against the Kiwis.
