Sports / Ravi Shastri to Team India after World Cup exit: Be proud of what you have done for the last 2 years

India head coach Ravi Shastri has said the World Cup 2019 semi-final exit was "hurting and disappointing" but insisted that Virat Kohli's men are on the right track.

Ravi Shastri also revealed that he addressed the players in the dressing room after the semi-final loss to New Zealand in Manchester on Wednesday and told the team that they have earned the respect with the way they played in World Cup 2019.

India had entered the World Cup as the 2nd-ranked side and one of the pre-tournament favourites. Virat Kohli's men were clinical throughout the group stages as the finished on top of the 10-team points table. Barring the defeat to England in Edgbaston and a scare against Afghanistan, India looked invincible.

However, in the semi-final against New Zealand, India failed to chase a 240-run target as familiar problems came back to haunt the team on the reserve day of the rain-affected match.

India opener Rohit Sharma, who had hit a record-setting number of 5 hundreds, was dismissed for 1. Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were back in the hut early as India were reeling at 5 for 3 inside the 4th over of their chase. A spirited effort from MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja -- 116-run stand for the 7th wicket -- wasn't enough as India fell short of the target by 18 runs.

The disappointmenet was visible in the faces of India players as the reactions on the faces of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as they walked back to the dressing room told the story.

Ravi Shastri, speaking to The Indian Express, said he wanted the India players to feel proud of what they have achieved over the last 2 years and that 30 minutes of play can't erase their achievements.

"Walk out with your heads held high. Be proud. Those 30 minutes can’t erase the fact that you guys have been the best team in the last couple of years. You guys know it. One tournament, one series and that, too, 30 minutes of play can’t decide that. You guys have earned that respect. Of course, we are all hurt and disappointed but, in the end, be proud of what you have done for the last two years."

Team India is on the right path: Shastri

Stressing that Team India is only destined for better things in future, Shastri said: "Hurting, obviously. Disappointed, yes, but no tears. This is a tough team. A magnificent team.

"Look at how we bowled. The way the batsmen batted. A couple of youngsters might come in the middle and make this even more stronger. It’s a team on the right path they know it.

"When you have played good and tough cricket for the last 30 months, this loss in the semi-final would hurt. It’s a tough pill to swallow and we are all gutted, but this is sport. That’s why we play it," Shastri added.

India will head to the West Indies in August for a full tour wherein they will be playing 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 2 Test matches. Virat Kohli and pace Jasprit Bumrah are likely to be rested for the tour while speculations over MS Dhoni's future remain after the World Cup semi-final exit.