Shastri sees a champion leader in Dhoni

Speaking about Dhoni’s return after the India Cricket team enjoyed a brief success under their new leader Virat Kohli, Shastri was quoted by the BCCI website as saying, “No problem at all. You are talking of a seasoned campaigner, a legend, one of the all-time greats of world cricket and not just Indian cricket,” he said of Dhoni. “So he takes over a job that he has been doing so well for a long time. Nothing new. Everything falls into place automatically.”

“For the team there will be no difference. They played under him in the World Cup. They played under him in Bangladesh. So what’s different now? They are playing under a champion,” the team director added.

Dhoni who is rumored to be batting at number four position upon his return, is a move hailed by Shastri.

He said, “Don’t you think it is about time? He has done the dirty work for the last donkeys years. Give him the chance to enjoy himself,” Shastri said. “You are talking of probably one of the greatest captains and players to have played the game. I am not talking about India, I am talking world cricket. Check his record, what his achievements are in the shorter format of the game. I don’t think anyone will come close to him. As far as the decision is concerned, don’t worry about MS. He will decide on the day.”

About his own stint he commented, “Every assignment for me has been a big one for the last one year. You take it one series at a time,” Shastri said on the sidelines of Team India’s camp in Bengaluru. “There is no small series in world cricket today. It’s just the teams that change. The work ethics, what you put into place to win a game, all that has to be done in the same way that you do with any other team. Nothing changes.”

“I treat it as a challenge. It is a responsibility which I have never backed away from, in anything I have done in life. This is no exception. It is a brilliant young team. You have seen their performances over the last year. I don’t have to say much. You can judge [for yourself]. They have done well in all formats of the game and the endeavour will be to keep that consistency going till we are in charge,” Shastri said.

Shastri also agreed that the upcoming South Africa series will be a tough encounter for the hosts.

Ravi said, “You have got to respect the fact they are the No. 1 team in the world. We know what we are up against. They are a stiff opposition. They play well in overseas conditions, better than any other side in world cricket. They travel better than any other team, and their record shows that. We know what we are up against, the respect is there, but we won’t take any backwards steps.”