Ravi Shastri rates his 18 months stint as Indian team's Director the most memorable of his life

Ravi Shastri mentored the Indian team till the World T20 held earlier this year

Former Indian all-rounder, Ravi Shastri stated that his time as the Team Director of the Indian cricket team was the most cherished time of his life. Shastri had been appointed soon after India’s 3-1 Test series defeat to England and held the post till the recently concluded World T20.

Speaking of his time as Director in an interview to the PTI, Ravi Shastri said, “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". 

The retired all-rounder rated his time as the director over his time while playing for the Indian team, “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.”

While pointing out the achievements of the Indian team under his watch, he said, “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 refused to get into comparisons when asked about what achievement he rated higher, the T20 series win in Australia or the Test series win against Sri Lanka. He said, “That's for you people to decide as I would not like to get into comparisons."

He also denied he would be applying for the post of Team India’s coach, a post which is currently lying vacant. Ravi Shastri said jokingly said, “I will only apply for accreditation of the IPL final.”

Ravi Shastri played for India, both in Test Matches and One Day Internationals and began his career as a left-arm spinner but slowly moved up the batting order as he made his name as an all-rounder. He even became an opener for India within ten months of his career. Ravi Shastri now works as a commentator for the official broadcasters of the IPL.