3 Reasons why Ravi Shastri was re-appointed as head coach

Ravi Shastri has been re-appointed as India’s head coach until the 2021 T20 World Cup. After India’s loss in the 2019 World Cup, the management decided to go through a proper recruitment process for selecting a new head coach.

Initially, the BCCI received 2000 applications for the aforementioned post and they shortlisted 6 candidates out of that. Well-known coaches like Tom Moody and Mike Hesson were among the shortlisted candidates.

The fans were eagerly waiting for a change. They wanted some new coach to come in and take the mantle forward. However, selecting Ravi Shastri again despite these international coaches surprised and disappointed the fans.

The decision was met with a mixed response on social media platforms. There are some logical reasons as to why the decision has been made.

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#3 Success on tours

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 5

The Indian team did not have a terrible time under Ravi Shastri as many think. The team thrived due to his coaching and mentorship in both home and away tours. The Men in Blue scripted a historic 2-1 Test series win against Australia in Shastri’s reign.

Also, they won the ODI series in both New Zealand and South Africa tours. Once, the coach himself proclaimed India as the best traveling teams in the world under him with full confidence.

“I think this side can be the best traveling side in the world,” he said in the aftermath of India’s win against England.

Despite all these good records, India’s loss at the 2019 World Cup is brought as an argument against him. However, there were a lot of positives to take out of the tournament.

#2 Positive working relationship with the captain

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 5

Ravi Shastri has built a good rapport with the team and the captain. The Indian captain Virat Kohli wanted him to continue as a head coach.

“With Ravi Bhai, we share a great camaraderie, and will definitely be very happy if he continues,” he said before departing for the West Indies tour.

The team would have happily accepted some foreign coach as well, but it is hard to imagine this kind of comradeship happening at least initially. After a disheartening loss at the World Cup, the team needs encouragement from a familiar figure to stay strong.

Who knows how the philosophy and mindset of a new coach will be like? It will take some time for the players to adjust to the new coach and the environment.

On a negative note, the changes could even affect the team if they do not adapt.

#1 The coach needs at least one more chance

India v New Zealand - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Final

Many people claim that the World Cup loss is an atrocity and attribute it to poor coaching decisions. However, the team looked strong in defeat. They ended the group stages at the top of the points table, and Shastri’s coaching style would have played some part in it.

What the team needs now is to look at their future, but they should not look at their future without considering the mistakes of their past. A brand new coach might bring his new plans for the team, but it would be impossible to succeed in the future without analyzing and correcting past mistakes.

Ravi Shastri is the only coach who knows the current Indian team well, and he had been with them in the disheartening World Cup semi-final loss.

Thus, if there is someone who should be given a responsibility to take the team one step ahead in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, then it is him.