Shastri dumps Dravid’s view on Dhoni, Yuvi

Newly appointed Head coach Ravi Shastri disagrees with batting consultant Rahul Dravid on Dhoni and Yuvraj’s utility for 2019 World Cup, says there’s plenty of time for that decision.

New Delhi: Just hours after making one of the most controversial  ‘comebacks’ and regaining his place in the dressing room as Team India Head coach, Ravi Shastri offered a similar opportunity to MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh to revive their careers.  

Acknowledging Dhoni and Yuvraj’s experience in this line-up, Shastri disagreed with his support-staff member and Team India batting consultant Rahul Dravid. "2019 (World Cup) is a long way to go. They are both champion cricketers. We will deal with it when the time arrives. I am just getting into the dressing room again, so I need to spend time with the captain (Kohli) and take things forward." Shastri said.

Dravid had openly stated that Team India needs to take a call on Dhoni and Yuvraj’s utility and ability to last till 2019 World Cup --- Dhoni will be 38 and Yuvraj 37 –-- a decision that Shastri has now conveniently postponed.

Shastri’s comments may not be overwhelming but it is certainly enough to breathe some life into both Dhoni and Yuvraj, who have come under criticism for their recent form or the lack of it. Yuvraj lost his place to Dinesh Karthik both in the ODIs and in the one-off T20 while Dhoni copped plenty of criticism for failing to close out a relatively easy 190-run target despite staying there till the 49th over.

Shastri though had a lot of encouraging words for skipper Virat Kohli adding that the next few years will define him as one of India’s greatest batsmen in the true sense. "Kohli is a champion cricketer; he has not yet reached his peak. The next five or six years will define the real Virat Kohli," Shastri said.

The newly-appointed Indian coach is looking forward to his latest stint with the Indian team, having served first as cricket manager in 2007 and then as Team India director from 2014 to 2016

"I have always relished a challenge and I am looking forward to my stint with India. When you are asked to open the batting in overcast conditions, it is a challenge. I am used to challenges, bring on another one," Shastri said.

Asked about his frosty relationship with Sourav Ganguly, a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) who was entrusted to name the coach, Shastri played down the bitter spat.

"We are both former captains and there will be arguments, but we need to look at the bigger picture. He (Ganguly) asked some very good questions during my interview. We need to move on. Individuals don't matter, and we should all work in the best interest of Indian cricket. It should take the centre- stage."

Shastri’s appointment came on Tuesday late night under controversial circumstances –--BCCI first denying reports of his appointment saying that the CAC was still deliberating and wanted to have a word with skipper Virat Kohli but later announced his name alongside full-fledged support staff that included Dravid and bowling coach Zaheer Khan.  Shastri’s appointment fills the void left by Anil Kumble's resignation after the final loss to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.  

Shastri, meanwhile, is still on a holiday in London and is expected to arrive back in Mumbai on the 17th before leaving for Sri Lanka on July 20 with the team.

Shastri starts off with the three-Test series starting July 26 and sounded quite bullish about India dominating the longest format where they are currently No.1 in the world. "It can be a better Test team than any Indian team we have had. This is a team you can travel with (anywhere). There is a battery of pacers which can do well in all conditions and take 20 wickets. Their age is such that they are playing at the right time."

The Shastri-Virat combo will be looking to make a winning start to their fresh partnership against a relatively weak Sri Lankan side.