After Lord’s hammering, Twitter is abuzz with demand for Ravi Shastri’s ouster

Chorus grew for the ouster of Team India’s head coach Ravi Shastri after the side saw an abject failure in the second Test at Lord’s, losing it by an innings and 159 runs to allow England go up 2-0 in the five-match series. Both of England’s opening bowlers – James Anderson and Stuart Broad – took four wickets apiece in the second innings to clean up the visitors for 130 after gaining a lead of 289 in the first innings. The game was over on the fourth day itself even as the first day’s play was completely washed out.

Twitter was abuzz with the demand to remove Shastri, the 56-year-old head coach, with some users even comparing him with former Australian coach of the Indian side Greg Chappell. Shastri was found to be making a great many positive remarks about India’s prospects in the Test series in the run-up to the high-voltage series but the team’s performance on the ground is yet to reflect his words.

The social media users were upset saying the Indian team led by Virat Kohli and under the tutelage of Ravi Shastri wasn’t prepared enough for the series. There were talks of sacking one player or the another after India lost the first Test by 31 runs but after the hammering at Lord’s the call is for Shastri’s head.

“If Anyone Is Sacked From This Indian Team, It Must Begin With Coach Ravi Shastri. We Miss You Anil Kumble,” said one user.

Shastri replaced former Indian captain Anil Kumble in July 2017 following an alleged clash of personalities between the latter and Kohli. One Twitter user even accused Shastri as a “cheerleader” who is paid to cheer up Kohli and said sarcarstically that Kumble did not have the skill to do that.

Shastri had some initial success as the coach but India’s performance in Tests outside the subcontinent has been a disaster under him. Earlier this year, India lost a Test series to South Africa 1-2, thanks to repeated batting debacles and the same is being seen in England as well. India will take on the hosts for the third Test at Trent Bridge from August 18 onwards and a defeat there would shatter India’s hopes for winning a series in England for the third consecutive time.

Here’s what Twitter has to say on Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri is Team India's cheerleader. He gets paid to cheer up Virat Kohli. Anil Kumble did not have this skill. All he has is 619 test wickets .

— $$ Adit¥∆ M∆€∆£ $$ (@jhunjhunwala) August 12, 2018

When you chose Ravi Shastri over Anil Kumble #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/DNksk5Feym

— Anil Kumble (@CoachKumble) August 12, 2018

If Anyone Is Sacked From This Indian Team, It Must Begin With Coach Ravi Shastri. We Miss You Anil Kumble. #INDvsENG #INDvENG #ENGvIND

— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) August 12, 2018

What does Ravi Shastri do as the head coach? I really want to know. #ENGvIND

— Rupin Kale (@Vegansportlover) August 4, 2018

Just read on Cricinfo that the pitch doesn't help spinners, and we are playing two of them. When there was help in Edgbaston, we played just one. I can understand Kohli misreading pitches regularly, but what about Ravi Shastri who must have done 1000 pitch reports in his life?

— Kunal Singh (@d_extrovert) August 11, 2018

Time for a Cricket rant:
1. Vijay is finished
2. KL Rahul is a Dhawan 2.0 shitting the bed in overseas tests.
3. Ravi Shastri MUST be sacked after this tour. Man is stealing a living. Just a yes man to Kohli.

— Dewl (@Shardoolk) August 12, 2018

Ravi Shastri when Indian players ask him for advice on how to turn the series around #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/MNsyTnTDz3

— Arnav Arora (@arnav20_cfc) August 12, 2018

Can anyone in the Indian 'team mamagement' explain as to what sort of planning and preparation went into this England tour? I know one man had planned well: Ravi shastri. He said that India is not going to play for draw. And he is right.

— notajournalist (@amitmirror) August 12, 2018

Ravi Shastri as Coach is More Dangerous than Greg Chappel For Indian Cricket.

— Vïshål (@vishal_tiwari08) August 12, 2018

This is what happens when you reject Dravid or Kumble and pick a motivational Ravi Shastri.I don't see any guy with a mental peace other than Kohli.Indian team has been reduced to a bunch of jokers by an arrogant Shastri and egoist Kohli. #ENGvIND

— Udit (@udit_buch) August 11, 2018

The benefit of knowledge is priceless. When you have Anil Kumble as coach but want Ravi Shastri because he gives you High-5s and hugs then go figure.

— $$ Adit¥∆ M∆€∆£ $$ (@jhunjhunwala) August 12, 2018

Virat Kohli = Captain + Main Batsman + Press Secretary + Coach

Ravi Shastri = Team Cheerleader

— $$ Adit¥∆ M∆€∆£ $$ (@jhunjhunwala) August 12, 2018

Exclusive pic of Ravi Shastri coaching the Indain team on how to play swing bowling.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/IZGSn5JHxU

— Bade Chote (@badechote) August 12, 2018