Chetan Chauhan has become the latest former India cricketer to criticise head coach Ravi Shastri and even demanded his sacking before the Australia tour begins in November.
Chauhan, who is Uttar Pradesh’s sports minister, held Shastri responsible for India’s 1-4 defeat to England in the Test series and said that he should stick to cricket commentary.
“Ravi Shastri should be removed as head coach before the Australia tour,” Chauhan was quoted as saying by PTI. “Ravi Shastri is very good cricket commentator and he should be allowed to do so.”
Chauhan also disagreed with Shastri’s claim that the current Indian team is the best travelling side in the world. “I do not agree. In 1980s, the Indian team was the best travelling team in the world,” he said.
The 71-year-old added that India should have performed better during the England tour, saying that both teams were evenly matched. “But the Indian team failed to check tail enders of England,” he said.
Commenting on India’s chances at the Asia Cup in Dubai, Chauhan said a better result is expected as the team is balanced with experienced and young players.
Earlier, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly had also criticised Shastri following the England tour.
With inputs from PTI