‘I don't care what the world thinks; I am a guy with my own mind’
New Delhi: Indian cricket team's Director Ravi Shastri on Saturday said that his future with the national side after the tour of Bangladesh will depend on his discussions with BCCI top brass after the series is over.
"Yes, there is no question about that - my job is the Bangladesh tour. And after we'll have to sit and talk. I am not thinking anything ahead. I am thinking Bangladesh, and that's it," Shastri told ESPN Cricinfo when asked about his future with national cricket team.
Read: Rahul Dravid appointed India ‘A’ and Under-19 cricket coach: BCCI
The former India captain and veteran of 80 Tests and 150 ODIs is happy to know that skipper Virat Kohli has a lot of confidence in him. "It is nice to hear what Virat said but I must compliment the entire coaching staff. The coaching bunch we have are experienced people. When it comes to Virat, he is outspoken, he is straight. What you see is what you will get with him. That is the kind of mindset that is spreading within the team as well. It is an honest bunch,” Shastri said.
Read: ‘I am thankful to Ravi Shastri for sticking by me,’ says Virat Kohli
"Apart from Virat being outstanding, I thought the Test series (in Australia) was the catalyst. Even today, 80 per cent of people who know their cricket say they enjoyed watching the Test series," Shastri pointed out.
Someone who is known for his straight talking, Shastri made it clear that he did not pay heed to people, who perceive him to be close to former BCCI president N Srinivasan.
Read: ‘Virat Kohli’s heart beats for India, he isn’t a finished article yet,’ says Ravi Shastri
"I have been associated with the BCCI for 35 years. During that period of time, including my broadcasting career, I might have gone through 10,12,13 (Board) presidents. Okay, let me tell you one thing: I am a guy with my own mind. And I am my own man. And I live for cricket. What people speculate and what the perceptions are, I have no right in stopping them from thinking or perceiving what they want. My job is to get out there and give my best for the game of cricket and, in particular, for the BCCI because they are my guardians. I don't make any bones about that. I don't care what the world thinks," he was to the point in his response.
Read: Sourav Ganguly to replace Ravi Shastri as Team Director?
While Shastri lauded the newly-formed cricket advisory panel, he was cautious in his reply when asked if their work will interfere in the coaching domain.
"I would imagine their general brief would be to advise on what is the best way for Indian cricket and domestic cricket to go forward. If I were to be part of this panel, my endeavour would be to give inputs as to how BCCI cricket and Indian cricket teams at all levels - A team, Under-19, grassroots - can be taken forward," Shastri concluded.
