There is no reason to remove Ravi Shastri from Indian cricket team's head coach's position if he continues to produce results, feels legendary former captain Kapil Dev. The 59-year-old Shastri's contract comes to an end after the completion of T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in October-November and it will also depend on whether the former India all-rounder is in a mood to re-apply.
Speculation has been rife that BCCI may elevate current NCA head Rahul Dravid as coach for the limited over series in Sri Lanka but as of now it looks highly improbable.
"I don't think there is any need to speak about it. Let this Sri Lanka series get over. We'll get to know the kind of performance our team has dished out," Kapil told ABP News.
"If you're trying to groom a new coach, there's nothing wrong with it. Then again, if Ravi Shastri continues to do a good job, there's no reason to remove him either. Only time will tell. Before that, I think it will put unnecessary pressure on our coaches and players," Kapil said about his former vice-captain.
Shastri has guided the Indian team to Test series wins in Australia twice. Under him, India also reached the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup and the WTC Final but went down to New Zealand in both the knockout games.
Two Indians teams are set to play in two different countries with Virat Kohli and his men gearing up for the five-Test series in England, while a Shikhar Dhawan-led team will take on hosts Sri Lanka in a limited over series.
Kapil said, "Indian team has big bench strength. If players get the opportunity and India can assemble two teams that can claim to win in both England and Sri Lanka, there is nothing better."
Kapil is happy that a lot of talented youngsters have gotten opportunities for the Sri Lanka series.
"If the youngsters get the opportunity, there's nothing wrong with it. But if it is up to the team management to decide whether they should apply such pressure on two teams simultaneously," Kapil pointed out.
VVS Laxman on Shikhar Dhawan
He might have been appointed captain for the upcoming white ball series in Sri Lanka but senior opener Shikhar Dhawan, just like other rookies will also be auditioning for reserve opener's slot in the Indian T20 World Cup side, feels former Test legend VVS Laxman. While Dhawan has been a certainty in the 50-over format, he hasn't really been a regular feature in the T20 national sides but back-to-back IPL performances have brought him back in the reckoning to get a slot alongside KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.
"Shikhar Dhawan will be very clear that he has to use this opportunity especially keeping in mind the T20 World Cup, there is so much stiff competition," Laxman said on Star Sports show Game Plan.
"So, while he is excited being the captain of the Indian team - and anyone will be proud to lead their country - but his focus will be to score runs and put his spot in a secure position," said Laxman.
With skipper Virat Kohli also opening for RCB in the IPL, it does get tougher for Dhawan to make an inroad into the shortest format squad.
"There is Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul who are established opening batsmen. Virat Kohli, very clearly mentioned that he wants to open in T20 formats. So, Shikhar Dhawan has to be amongst runs," added the stylish former right-handed batsman from Hyderabad.
Dhawan, who is leading the Indian team for the first time, during the pre-departure press conference, had said that it was a great honour for him to be the captain of the Indian team and he was looking forward to it.
However, in the same vein, Laxman feels that the southpaw was being rewarded for his consistency.
"He (Dhawan) is being rewarded for his consistent performance for the Indian Team, especially in white-ball cricket and he is the most experienced player in this squad," Laxman added.
