'Sometimes in life, it’s about what you overcome’ - Ravi Shastri recounts his achievements as Team India head coach

November 8 will mark the end of an era, the era of Ravi Shastri as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. A stylish all-rounder back in his heydays, Shastri left his flourished media career as a commentator to take up the role in 2017. He was named the head coach after India’s loss in the Champions Trophy final. He had previously served as the director of the team from mid-2014 till April 2016. 

At that time, his tenure had ended after India’s exit from the 2016 T20 World Cup at home. The end of his second stint also comes in a similar fashion. However, this shouldn’t undermine the achievements of Shastri as the head coach. Under his coaching, the Indian team achieved several feats in bilateral cricket, but couldn’t lift an ICC trophy. 

At one end, India won two Test series in Australia and has a 2-1 result in the Test series in England, which is due to be completed next year. Apart from that, India had won white-ball series, both T20I and ODI, in almost every country they have played matches in.

On the other hand, India lost a 50-overs World Cup in the semis, the final of the 2019-21 World Test Championship, and also failed to qualify for the semis in the T20 World Cup 2021.

I think I have made a difference: Ravi Shastri

Looking back on his time in the role, Shastri explained the goals which he had set for himself when he was confirmed for the position. He noted that the success, which this Indian team has achieved under him, will make them one of the best teams in the history of the sport.

“I think it’s been fantastic. When I took this job, I said in my mind that I want to make a difference. And I think I have. Sometimes in life, it’s not about all you accomplish, it’s about what you overcome.

“And what these guys have overcome in the last 5 years, the way they’ve performed in all corners of the world in all formats will make this one of the greatest teams in the history of the game,” Shastri said on Star Sports, as a part of the T20 World Cup coverage. 

Rahul Dravid is set to take over as the head coach after the tournament. He will be in charge during the T20I and Test series against New Zealand, which starts on November 17. According to some sources, Shastri could next take up a coaching role with the new IPL franchise of Ahmedabad.