'Since I saw this from close quarters...' - Ravichandran Ashwin gives a befitting reply to Ravi Shastri's remarks on Rahul Dravid taking breaks

Ravichandran Ashwin, Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri - Source (Twitter)

India crashed out of the 20-20 World Cup against England in the semi-final as they were no match for the might of the England Lions, who kept India down to just 168-6. Then, Alex Hales and Jos Butler decimated the Indian bowling lineup through a 170-run stand. This was another occasion where India failed to go the distance at a world event.

At present, India are playing a three-match T20 series in New Zealand where the senior players have been rested and the side is being led by Hardik Pandya and is coached by VVS Laxman. Rahul Dravid and the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been given a break after a hectic T20 World Cup.

Everyone needed a break after the 20-20 World Cup- Ravichandran Ashwin

Speaking about the coaches taking breaks, Ravi Shastri said, “I do not believe in breaks. Because I want to understand my team, I want to understand my players and I want to be in control of that team. These breaks… why do you need that many breaks, to be honest? You get your 2-3 months of the Indian T20 League, that’s enough for you to rest as a coach. But other times, I think a coach should be hands-on, whoever he is.”

On another hand, Ravichandran Ashwin came in support of Dravid and explained the rationale behind the head coach of India taking a break. “I will explain why Laxman has gone there with a completely different team because even that could be interpreted differently. Rahul Dravid and his team put in extensive hard work ahead of the T20 World Cup, right from planning, since I saw this from close quarters, I’m saying this. They had specific in-depth plans for each venue and each opposition,” he said on his youtube channel.

“So, they would have been under not only mental but also physical burnout and everyone needed a break. As soon as the New Zealand series ends, we have the Bangladesh tour. That’s why we have a different coaching staff led by Laxman for this tour,” Ashwin added.