Ravi Shastri mince no words in critisizing Rahul Dravid for taking frequent breaks from international cricket

Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid: (Image Source: Twitter)

After a disappointing end to the 20-20 World Cup 2022, team India are all set to play a white-ball series against New Zealand, starting on 18th November 2022. The Indian Cricket Team are in New Zealand but the head coach Rahul Dravid has been given a break from the tour.

Former Indian cricketer, VVS Laxman has been appointed as the interim head coach for the six-match series. Notably, senior players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul to name a few have also been rested for the series.

Meanwhile, former India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri has come down heavily on the Indian Cricket Board’s decision to grant frequent breaks to India’s support staff. Shastri feels that the support staff members shouldn’t be given breaks as it affects the player-coach relationship.

"I do not believe in breaks," Shastri said during a virtual press conference on the eve of the first T20I between India and New Zealand in Wellington.

"Because I want to understand my team, I want to understand my players and I want to then, be in control of that team. These breaks... what do you need that many breaks for to be honest? You get your 2-3 months of the IPL, that's enough for you to rest as a coach. But other times, I think a coach should be hands on, whoever he is."

It is worth mentioning that team India’s head coach, Rahul Dravid wasn’t available with the team during India’s tour of Zimbabwe and Ireland this year. Although, Rahul Dravid was with the senior Indian team in England during the Ireland series but the head coach wasn’t available in Zimbabwe in August and during the home series against South Africa.

India will start the tour of New Zealand with a three-match T20I series. The first match is scheduled to be played tomorrow at Sky Stadium in Wellington, while the second and third game will be played on 20th and 22nd November respectively.