India’s veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami has named Ravi Shastri as the best Team India coach ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Shami flourished under Shastri’s tutelage and delivered for India in big matches.

The fast bowler also played under the coaching of Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid. Shami was asked to pick the best Indian coach among Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid and current coach Gautam Gambhir.

The Bengal cricketer admitted it is difficult to pick one name but said Ravi Shastri gave the freedom, aggression and fighting spirit to the team

“It is slightly difficult to compare. I have not played a lot under Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir). I have spent a good time with Rahul bhai (Dravid) and Anil bhai (Kumble). But if I have to pick one out of these four, if I am made to, I will pick Ravi bhai (Shastri) because he gave that freedom and the aggression and fighting spirit that is seen while going to play is seen in him even from the outside,” Shami said on Times Now.

Ravi Shastri was appointed as the team’s head coach in July 2017 after a fallout between former skipper Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble.

Under Shastri’s tutelage, India qualified for the semifinals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the final of the WTC cycle 2019-21. India also surged to the numero uno position in the ICC Test rankings and won their maiden Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil on the 2018-19 tour under Shastri’s umbrella. Furthermore, India won the famous BGT in Australia on the 2020-21 tour with Ajinkya Rahane leading India to a historic win.