My focus is on developing youth and bench strength, reveals Ravi Shastri
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Ravi Shastri has stated that his focus will be on integrating the youth into the first team by giving them consistent chances without sacrificing on the team's chances to win, with the World T20 and World Test Championship lined up. He also talked about the Caribbean tour and visit by the Proteas.
Having recently earned a contract extension to continue as the Indian cricket team head coach, Ravi Shastri has revealed promoting the youth as his priority for the second stint. He explained the importance of building a well-balanced team, with the World T20 coming up in February and the ongoing two-year cycle of the World Test Championships.
"The path should be that knowing well you have got 12 months to go for the T20 World Cup and you have about 18-20 months to go for the World Test Championship. Getting youth in during that transition period by keeping an eye on the youth is important so that they can mix with the experience and give us a really solid side," Shastri told the 'Gulf News', reported TOI.Ā
India has been a top side across all formats over the past few years, dominating the ODI and Test rankings for long stretches while being a consistent part of the top-four in the gameās shortest format.
"The vision is to keep the consistency level going. It will be a team in transition and one has to keep an eye out for the youth and also keep an eye on developing the bench strength as far as batting and bowling goes across all three formats. We should, at the same time, never lose sight of the fact that you play to win. Never losing that angle but yet at the same time, investing in youth," he added.
The holders of the ICC mace for three years running, Indiaās next challenge will be a three-match T20I and Test series at home to the Proteas, which will constitute a part of the WTC.Ā
"We are playing at home (against South Africa) and it is the World Test Championship - so now there is even more reason on why you have to play the way you should. There are now points to be accumulated. We are the No. 1 team in the world and we have been for the last three years, so there is pride at stake as well. So we want to keep that consistency going and ensuring that we are placed nicely in the table for when the time comes, from them to decide who plays in the final," a bold Shastri claimed.
The team is coming off a successful tour of the Caribbean islands, where they whitewashed the visitors in the T20 and Test series while also managing to win the ODI series 2-0.
"To beat the West Indies in West Indies across all three formats, especially the limited over formats and Test matches, I think this must be unprecedented. A team going to the Caribbean and not losing a single game, I don't think it has happened in the past and it will not happen that easily in the near future," he signed off.
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