Ravi Shastri takes dig at ICC for changing WTC rules

Indian coach wasn't happy that midway through the tournament, ICC changed the criteria for qualifying to final from maximum points earned to maximum percentage points earned

Ahmedabad: Known for not mincing words, India head coach Ravi Shastri on Sunday criticised the ICC for changing the qualification criteria for the World Test Championship final, saying the world governing body needs to stop “shifting goalposts”.

India beat England 3-1 in the just concluded four-Test series to set up World Test Championship title date with New Zealand but the Indian coach wasn’t happy that midway through the tournament, global body changed the criteria from maximum points earned to maximum percentage points earned.

“If you ask me about first cycle, please don’t shift the goalposts,” Shastri took a direct dig at the ICC when asked about what changes he would like when WTC is held during next cycle of events. “I am sitting at home because of Covd-19 in the month of October with more points than any other team, 360 apparently (having won three series and lost one). A week later without knowing some rule comes that we are going to go (move) into the percentage system and we go (slip) from number one to three (in points table),” the coach said.

He continues, “Fine that’s because of countries not wanting to travel, countries that are in the red zone. All acceptable and fine. I want to understand the logic because now it’s like “What’s the way forward for me?” Sitting 60 to 70 points ahead, I am told, now you have to go to Australia and what you have to do? You have to beat Australia,” he had a lot of sting in his voice.

“Now how many teams in last 10 years have beaten Australia? If you don’t beat Australia, you come back home and you have to then beat England 4-0 and get close to 500 points and you still don’t qualify? So we have had to dig deep and go down every hole and we have earned our stripes to be in the biggest of the them all – the World Test Championship final,” the acclaimed commentator in him was out.

Love him or hate him, it is very difficult to ignore the influence he has on people in general. His fans love him but not more than the army of trolls, who are all up in arms, making memes that are distasteful many a times. “I would say it’s banter. They do it to have fun at my expense. I will have milk and honey and you enjoy your drink,” he laughs. “Kya farq padhta hai yaar (How does it matter buddy?). I mean when you post those things, kitne jan haanste hai, bolte hai Ravi ke barein mein (when they post a meme, people laugh and they talk about me). It’s okay as long as the team does well,” said the coach, who showed a lot of spirit when socialite Shobha De posted one such meme.

Shastri lauds Sundar

Shastri was both Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev’s ‘go to man’ with his all-round abilities during the ’80s and India head coach firmly believes that young Washington Sundar could play a similar role in the current Test team. “I think Washy has far more natural ability than I had,” said the veteran of 80 Tests who had close to 4000 runs and 150 plus wickets. “He has the ability and he belongs at this level and he can go a long way. If he could focus on his bowling (in Tests), India could have a very good number six for overseas conditions.

“Someone who can get you those 50s, 60s and 70s and then bowl for you 20 overs and can pick up 2-3 wickets. That was my role overseas (during whole of 1980s) and I think he can do that role easily,” he said. Washington should start batting in the top four for Tamil Nadu across formats, suggested Shastri. “Definitely, he should be batting in the top four for his state. There is no question about that. I would like to have a word with Tamil Nadu selectors or DK (captain Dinesh Karthik) for that matter. I think he should be batting in the top four,” Shastri said.