Dont kill the golden egg-laying goose, Ravi Shastri tells ICC

Dont kill the golden egg-laying goose, Ravi Shastri tells ICC

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Ravi Shastri has claimed that the ICC has made a mistake in trying to kill the "golden goose" of cricket, India, through their new monetary plan. Shastri also called the Australia tour of 2014-15 as the turning point in India's Test performances despite the visitors losing the series.

According to the new financial model of the ICC, India stands to lose at least ₹ 1300 crores over a period of eight years. Shastri questioned the timing of the move that coincided with the reforms of the Lodha committee that has left the BCCI in bad shape. 

"The ICC should know the story of what happens when you even think of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Take care of the goose and it will give you more and more," Shastri told Cricbuzz. 

"They are making the biggest mistake in doing so. My warning to such people is: beware. This institution is here to stay. They are making the mistake of trying to take advantage of the BCCI in this situation. This state of flux will not last for long. BCCI will be back where they belong very very soon. And that is why it is important that the BCCI stresses on the issues at hand.

You take India out of the equation, I'd like to see what kind of revenue will be left.

" In my mind, India deserve every penny that they get from ICC tournaments, simply because they are the Pied Pipers of world cricket.

"Something like 80% of revenues for these tournaments come from India. Then to say that India is the bully, because they are asking for extra share, is the biggest load of bullshit I've heard. I say this because the BCCI is not asking for 80%, they're asking for a much lower percentage. They have every right to. You take India out of the equation, I'd like to see what kind of revenue will be left."

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India have been in top form since the 2014 Border-Gavaskar trophy winning six straight Test series on the spin beating South Africa, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and England along the way. However, Shastri attributes the change of fortunes to the loss in the Australia series three years ago. 

With due respect to England and New Zealand, Australia will be the toughest of India's home assignments

"The turning point from the batting aspect was quite clear - KL Rahul got a hundred, Rahane made a strong century, Virat got four centuries. Then, having a very good World Cup gave the fast bowlers the confidence, the feeling that they could make teams hop, when Shami, Umesh Yadav were on fire. It was very exciting," Shastri explained. 

"The turning point was the tour of Australia, where they held their own and then beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka to become the No. 1 side in the world. To become the No. 1 side even before the long season at home was an achievement. Beating South Africa 3-0, and then the home season helped stretch the lead at the top to a strong position.

"The run of Tests at home helped balance the side, which will help them overseas as well. The challenge now will be Australia at home. With due respect to England and New Zealand, Australia will be the toughest of India's home assignments."

The 54-year-old also had a say about what the ICC could change so as to improve the standard of the game even more. 

"As far as I am concerned, there are too many ICC tournaments. This is the only sport that has so many champions at any given point of time. In my mind, the Champions Trophy should be scrapped after this edition because it only dilutes the World Cup. Who remembers who won the last three editions of the Champions Trophy? But if you ask me who won the last 10 editions of the World Cup, I can tell you. This period of time should be given to individual countries to make their domestic season prosper," Shastri said.

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"I would use that corridor for another two weeks of the IPL and probably have nine or 10 teams in the future. The IPL is a massive platform from which youngsters can be showcased. If India are the powerhouse that they are today across all formats, the IPL has a big role to play.

"India should have a set home season with at least six matches in front of their fans each year, as England and Australia have."

India will now be aiming to beat Australia at home that would make the run they are on even more special than it is right now. Having already beaten all the major teams in the world, Australia would be the last feather in their cap. Shastri, however, asked India to guard themselves against any sort of complacency because the Australians are not to be taken lightly.

"It's very important against a side like Australia that you get ahead early. I stress this. Do not allow the opposition to get their noses ahead. With England or New Zealand, it does not matter so much, but against Australia, you've got to be careful," Shastri said as a warning to the Indian team. 

Their (Australia) last two visits to India, in their minds, are probably best forgotten. The one thing is that they will come out and play hard. Most of their players would've learnt a lot of Indian conditions and players from the IPL- there will be caution and aggression. With the likes of Smith and Warner in the ranks, and Starc,  Lyon and Hazlewood in the bowling, makes for a very interesting series."

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