Shastri hints at stepping down as India head coach after T20 WC, says 'I've overachieved'

Cricket Desk: Ravi Shastri has put forth his intention of stepping down as the head coach of the Indian national cricket team after the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. It’s pertinent to note that the 59-year-old Shastri’s tenure at the helm will also come to an end following the mega event to be played in October-November.

Back in 2017, Shastri was appointed as the national head coach and he’s taken Indian cricket to great heights along with skipper Virat Kohli. Shastri coached India to victories in a number of bilateral series, although an ICC trophy has continued to elude him. For Shastri, a triumph in the upcoming WC in the UAE would mark the apt end to his coaching stint.

Ravi Shastri’s goal to move out on a high

“If we win the World Cup that will be the icing on the cake. There is nothing more. I believe one thing – never overstay your welcome. And I would say that, in terms of what I wanted to get out of the side, I’ve over-achieved,” Shastri was quoted as saying in an interview with The Guardian.

Back in 2018-19, India beat Australia in the latter’s backyard to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Team India repeated the same feat in 2020-21 as well. On their last tour, India didn’t have their skipper Kohli for the last four games and faced a number of injury concerns.

However, India showed resilience and won the series 2-1 after breaching the Gabba fortress. Earlier, this year, the team also managed to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series against England after wins at the Lord’s and Kennington Oval.

Shastri stated that the wins meant a whole to lot to him and Indian cricket, especially in the tumultuous phase in the last one and half years. “To beat Australia away and to lead the series in England in a COVID year? It is the most satisfying moment of my four decades in cricket,” he added.

Shastri became India’s head coach after Anil Kumble resigned from his position in 2017. Prior to that, he also served as the director of the Indian team. Shastri has earned laurels as a cricketer and a commentator as well.