Ravi Shastri heavily criticizes Selectors for 2019 World Cup selection

Ravi Shastri heavily criticizes Selectors for 2019 World Cup selection

Ravi Shastri and Ambati Rayudu

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has finally broken his silence on the selection of the squad for the 2019 World Cup. In a shocking revelation, the 59-year-old stated that the placement of three wicket-keepers in the team was beyond his logic.

This controversy has first made the headlines when the All India Senior Selection Committee headed by former cricketer MSK Prasad opted for all-rounder Vijay Shankar ahead of Ambati Rayudu for the middle-order. Earlier, then skipper Virat Kohli had confirmed that the latter will be their number 4 for future games. 

In a recent interview with The Times Of India, Shastri mentioned that he’s not so ‘rankled’ by the early exit of India in the recently-concluded 2021 T20 World Cup. However, he went on to reckon that the ‘Men in Blue’ losing the 2019 WC semi-final against the Kiwis still hurts him.

“Our other best chance (after WTC Final) was the 2019 World Cup. I’m not so rankled by the 2021 T20 WC exit – to be honest, we weren’t among the best sides. But 2019 hurts equally bad. The start we had, then the game being carried on to the next day,” Shastri told TOI. 

“Either Ambati or Shreyas could’ve come in” – Shastri

Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer has been rock-solid for Team India at No.4 in white-ball cricket

Ravi Shastri, who played 80 Tests for India, said that either Rayudu or Shreyas Iyer could have made it to the 15-member squad in England. He also questioned the presence of three wicket-keepers – MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, and Rishabh Pant in the side.

“I had no say in that. But I wasn’t okay with three wicketkeepers being picked for the World Cup. Either Ambati or Shreyas could’ve come in. What was the logic in having MS Dhoni, Rishabh, and Dinesh all together? But I never interfered with selectors’ world, except when I was asked for feedback or as part of a general discussion,” the Mumbaikar signed off.

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