India head coach Ravi Shastri has no regrets about organising a book launch, which was widely perceived to be the reason for a Covid-19 outbreak that forced the cancellation of the fifth and final Test versus England at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Shastri, fielding coach R. Sridhar, bowling coach Bharath Arun and physio Nitin Patel were found infected during the Oval Test and when assistant physio Yogesh Parmar’s test came positive ahead of the final Test in Manchester, the game was controversially called off with India leading the series 2-1.

There were reports of people not wearing masks at the book launch event.

“I have absolutely no regrets because the people I met at that function were fabulous. And it was good for the boys to get out and meet different people rather than constantly being in their rooms,” Shastri said in an interview to The Guardian.

“At the Oval Test, you were climbing stairs used by 5,000 people. So why point a finger at a book launch?” he asked.

“... But I wasn’t worried because incubation probably takes weeks. There were about 250 people there and no one got Covid from that party.”

The book launch got even more attention after the final Test was cancelled with the outcome of the series yet to be decided.

Asked if he was made the scapegoat in the aftermath of the abandoned Test, Shastri said the truth was otherwise.

“I’ve not got it at my book launch because it was on August 31 and I tested positive on September 3. It can’t happen in three days. I think I got it in Leeds.

“England opened up on July 19 and suddenly the hotels were back, lifts were back. No restrictions.”

The head coach said he wasn’t involved in the decision to not play the Manchester Test while he was isolating in London. He also didn’t discuss the matter with the players.

Shastri’s tenure is set to end after next month’s T20 World Cup, and he conceded that there would be a bit of “sadness”. But he has no doubts that he is going out at the right time, having “over-achieved” during his stint.

“I believe so because I’ve achieved all I wanted. Five years as No.1 (in Test cricket), to win in Australia twice, to lead the series in England.

“If we win the (T20) World Cup, that will be the icing on the cake. There is nothing more. I believe one thing: never overstay your welcome.

“And I would say that in terms of what I wanted to get out of the side, I’ve over-achieved. To beat Australia away and to lead the series in England in a Covid year… It is the most satisfying moment of my four decades in cricket,” Shastri said.