Five challenges that await Ravi Shastri as India's new head coach

#4 Performing in overseas tours

Overseas tours will threaten India’s No. 1 Test ranking

To say that India’s overseas Test performances since 2011 have not been up to the mark would be an understatement. The team have struggled to win Tests in big cricketing nations like England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. They are yet to win a series in South Africa as well as Australia and last won an overseas series in England a decade ago.

Shastri was the Team Director during India’s tours of England and Australia in the 2014-15 season and knows that there is a lot of work to be done in that aspect. Kohli's nightmarish stint in England that summer might be a thing of the past now, but it will immediately rear its ugly head again when India go there next.

India played 13 back to back Test matches at home for the longest home season in cricket history recently. An avalanche of overseas tours follow. India’s No. 1 Test ranking is at stake and Kohli’s captaincy will be under the scanner. Shastri's ability to mentor the team through these Tests will be tested and one would hope that he manages to create a positive impact on the players.