Salman Butt not in agreement with Monty Panesar's 'India is Ravi Shastri's team' remark

Former England spinner Monty Panesar hogged a lot of limelight recently by claiming that India is more of head coach Ravi Shastri’s team than captain Virat Kohli’s. Citing the example of India’s Test series win in Australia earlier this year, Panesar reckoned that it was Shastri’s ‘built self-belief’ which took the visitors to glory despite Kohli’s departure after the first match. However, Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt disagrees with Panesar’s view as he called the statement illogical.

For the unversed, India had lost the first of four Tests against Australia by eight wickets, and skipper Kohli flew back home after that game to be with his pregnant wife Anushka Sharma. However, Team India defied all the odds and went onto win the series 2-1. While Panesar believes Shastri was behind India’s success, Butt argued that Kohli’s contribution can’t be taken away.

India’s good winning ratio wouldn’t have been possible without Virat Kohli: Salman Butt

“I don’t understand why somebody would need to say this. Virat has scored so many runs, was it possible to get such a good winning ratio without it? Not at all. He was not there for one series, we can consider it as a failure. One or two failed series are normal but you still can’t take away his contribution. Similarly, a coach’s positive influence ensures that the team is with him,” Salman Butt said in a video on his YouTube channel.

The tainted Pakistan cricketer further said that both Kohli and Shastri are equally valuable for Indian cricket. Hence, the southpaw couldn’t understand the logic behind Panesar’s statement.

“They both [Shastri and Kohli] didn’t say anything and are happy to work together… I believe both are equally valuable. In fact, every member is valuable. And when they are all happily working together as a team, why would you say that it’s one’s team more than the other? I don’t know what context and logic he has used,” the 36-year-old asserted.

Meanwhile, the Indian team is currently gearing up for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand. The Ageas Bowl in Southampton will host the summit clash, which gets underway on June 18. The Virat Kohli-led side will fly to England on June 2 and will undergo a 10-day quarantine period upon their arrival. Hence, they won’t have much time for preparation.