Memorable phase of my life was when I was the Indian team director: Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri had served as the director of the Indian team after the departure of Zimbabwean Duncan Fletcher and Shastri’s contract came to an end by the recently concluded World T20 2016. He considers his 18-month contract as the team Director as the “most cherished and memorable phase” of his life but does refuse to comment on whether he would seek a contract renewal.

Shastri took over after India‘s 1-3 Test series defeat against England in August 2014 and India had a great run after that – winning the ODI series against England, became the first team to whitewash Australia in Australia in any format (3-0 in T20Is), winning Test series in Sri Lanka after 22 years, beating South Africa in a Test series at home after a long, winning the Asia Cup T20 and progressing to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2016.

Also read – Harbhajan Singh reveals the reason why Australia stopped sledging

“I have no doubt in my mind that these are the best 18 months that I have spent during my association with Indian cricket as a player and then as a Team Director. It has been the most memorable phase of my life if I just look back at what we achieved as a team during this phase. Credit to the boys for making it special,” Shastri told PTI.

The former Indian cricketer said that 18 months as the team director beats his time as a player. “Yes, I have had success as a player. I fondly remember 1985 World Championship of Cricket, 1983 World Cup and proud of those but this phase as the Team Director was special. Look at some of the performances during this phase.”

Also read – Parthiv Patel trolls back Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh

“We beat England in England in ODIs. (For the) first time a team whitewashed Australia in any format (3-0 in T20s) Down Under, winning a Test series in Sri Lanka after 22 years, beating South Africa in a Test series at home after a decade. When you take over, you set the bar high but you do not know as to what all you can achieve,” Shastri said.

Shastri also praised Virat Kohli, for the four centuries he against Australia. “Four centuries in four Tests in Australia. You can’t beat that. He has been brilliant in IPL. Four centuries and nearly 1000 runs in IPL is fantastic but nothing can beat four Test hundreds Down Under,” Shastri said.