Ravi Shastri's 'best' is not good enough

India continued their torrid record in England, losing yet another overseas Test series and that too in a complete one-sided manner. But team's head coach, as he has now been called post his commentary stint, Ravi Shastri has been trying hard to defend his tenure by saying things which are hard to digest.

But Shastri has his own philosophy of defending the undefendable.

And when he came up with the theory, "I can't see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that has had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series" after India lost the fourth Test at Southampton by 62 runs to give England an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-Test series, even his former commentary colleague, Sunil Gavaskar was not impressed with his statement.

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Both Kohli and Shastri have been facing criticism over their inability to field the right Playing XIs and judging the nature of wickets.

In order to defend the indefensible, Shastri has been trying to behave like a politician.

However, politicians can juggle around with "situations, statistics and surfaces", while cricket teams can only attain "The Best" label if they outperform their opponents in all these conditions.

So when Shastri said that "last three years, we won nine matches overseas and three series which no other Indian team has done in last 15-20 years, despite having some great players then", he made a mockery of himself.

No one in the commentary box or out in the streets following cricket, was impressed with this analysis. The nine wins that Shastri spoke about were in Sri Lanka (5), West Indies (2) South Africa (1, after losing first two and series) and England (1, that too after losing first two Tests in the five-match in series).

And, not to forget that series wins came in Sri Lanka (2) and West Indies (1).

Shastri was seen as crisis man in Indian cricket during their last English tour in 2014. Having been hammered by England team under then coach Duncan Fletcher, BCCI bosses had turned to former India all-rounder to lift the morale in the dressing room.

Defying own words

And when Shastri was officially given charge of the Indian team, it was expected that the duo of Shastri-Kohli will help build a team for the future.

There can't be any two arguments that Shastri loves talking of his achievements with the Indian cricket team, most of which have come at home or conditions similar to home.

"The conditions will be testing but these one-and-a-half years will define Indian cricket," this was him before boarding flight to South Africa in December 2017.

This was obviously on the basis of victories Team India tasted under his "guidance" on known conditions. Shastri was expected to build a team that would win Test matches overseas especially in South Africa, England and Australia. India annihilated their oppositions and they were ruthless on field at home. But none of such traits were seen while playing abroad.

And this despite the fact that since the beginning of 2018, India has got a bowling unit which has taken 20 wickets in a Test more often than not.

Playing XI goof-up

Under Shastri, Indian team has never been the same in two successive Tests, barring rare occasion.

But can Shastri explain why India's best overseas batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara was not picked in the first Test against England? Can he explain what was the thinking in the dressing room when two spinners were picked for Test at Lord's, which India lost by an innings and 159 runs to go 0-2 down?

Well, he may be a great fan of Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who stated that "the only thing that is constant is the change" some 2,500 years ago, the but team has suffered humiliation following such decisions, which can only be termed silly.

Isn't it time now that Shastri is made to pay for his claims and utterances, which are factually incorrect and laughable?

He needs to be told that between 2002-04, India defeated much tougher arch-rivals like Pakistan in their backyard --- first time at home ---- and drew against Australia, which was then described as one of the greatest Test teams of all times. This aside a series draw in England in England, especially when they had beaten Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their backyards.

Between 2005 to 2007, India won Test series in England and West Indies after gaps of 21 and 35 years respectively. They also won a Test in South Africa, but lost the series 2-1 after giving the hosts a tough fight. Team India also clinched a Test series in New Zealand and drew one in South Africa between 2008-2010.

Even if they lost 1-2 to Australia Down Under due to some controversies, no one deny that this was probably the best India could have done.

Whatever Shastri may believe, the fact is that the present Indian team does not come anywhere close to the performance of previous teams in the last 15 years.

SHASTRI’S TRACER BULLETS

I can’t see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that has had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, and it’s just about getting tougher mentally.
Shastri, after losing the England series

This is the biggest problem with our critics. When you win, the other team is not playing well. When you win in Sri Lanka, they are a weak team. When you play South Africa, they are not at their best. Remember, a team is only as good as you allow it to be. It’s as simple as that
Shastri, after returning from South Africa

We knew even after losing 2 Tests that we weren’t far behind. People, might say anything, they might write anything but we give two hoots. 
Shastri, after India won the final Test against South Africa

Experts are mean to do a job. They can say what they want. It doesn’t affect us. They have a job to do, so they are entitled to what they say. 
Shastri, on cricket experts after he became the coach

….BUT WE TRIED: SHASTRI

India coach Ravi Shastri on Friday said that they didn’t lose the Test series to a collective effort from England. “I would not say (we) failed badly. But we tried. We must give credit where it is due. Virat and me were asked to pick the Man of the Series (for England) and we both picked Sam Curran. Look where Curran has scored, and, that is where he hurt us,” Shastri told a cricket website.