Shastris and Kumbles will come and go, says new coach Ravi Shastri

Mangalore Today News Network

July 19, 2017: New Indian cricket team coach played down the manner in which he was appointed after Anil Kumble stepped down from the position. Addressing the media ahead of the team’s tour to Sri Lanka, Shastri said that the fabric of the team was more important than the individuals. "Shastris and Kumbles will come and go, the fabric of the team will remain," he said. Shastri also defended his decision to appoint Bharat Arun as the team’s bowling coach.

"Bharath Arun knows these boys better than I do. He been there in the system for more than 15 years," Shastri said.

The former India captain also added that he had matured since his last trip to Sri Lanka with the team.

"I have matured since the last Sri Lanka tour. I have matured immensely in the last two weeks and I come with no baggage," he added.

Opener Murali Vijay has been ruled out of the Test series against Sri Lanka due to a wrist injury. The Tamil Nadu cricketer was subsequently replaced by Shikhar Dhawan in the 16-member squad for the three-match series starting July 26 in Galle. Dhawan, who is a regular in the Indian ODI side, has played 23 Tests, averages 38.52 and has four Test hundreds to his name. He last played a Test for India in 2016 against New Zealand in a home series.

Virat Kohli-led India are set to play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and one T20I against Sri Lanka during the long series that begins end July. The three Test matches will be played at Galle, Colombo and Kandy, respectively. This is the first time the two countries will be playing a full series (includes all three formats) in eight years.

After the Test series, India are scheduled to play five one-dayers starting August 20 before signing off with a lone Twenty20 on September 6.

Courtesy: NDTV