Ravi Shastri Threatened To Boycott Australia Tour, Claims R Sridhar While Revealing The Reason

Team India coach Ravi Shastri had threatened to boycott the tour of Australia if the players were not allowed to travel with their families, according to R Sridhar. The India fielding coach made the sensational revelation during a conversation with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Sridhar and Ashwin were sharing their experience of the memorable tour of Australia that concluded earlier this week.

The tour, however, had started on an unexpected note for the team. According to Sridhar, the team-management was told that the players were not allowed to travel to Australia with their families because of the pandemic. The members of the Indian team came to know about the development only 48 hours before departing for Australia from Dubai.

The team-management was not at all impressed with the decision which would have seen them living without their family for nearly three months. For some players who were playing in the IPL, it would have been almost six months. There was confusion all around as several players had already called their family members to Dubai. Amidst the chaos, Ravi Shastri took the matter in his own hands and told BCCI that the team would not depart to Australia without their families.

“Do you know something? When we were quarantining in Dubai, before the last 48 hours, they suddenly announced that the families were not allowed. So, even before the Australian tour started, they had started their sledging. Their off-the-field sledging,” Sridhar told Ashwin.

“We had calls during night time. And then there was time difference as well and we had to co-ordinate between Dubai, India and Australia. ‘Sorry. Families are not allowed. Australian Government is strict on this’,” he added.

Ashwin then revealed that he had already informed his wife of the development. Prior to that, he just had his family members landed in Dubai.

“I communicated the same to my wife. She said sarcastically ‘Alright. I will see someone else then’. It had been six months since we saw each other. I had them landed at Dubai just then with my kids. Before I could even finish hugging them, this news of families being not allowed hit us,” said Ashwin.

Ravi Shastri to Team India’s rescue:

Sridhar went on to reveal how Ravi Shastri’s tough stance made sure that the players travelled to Australia with their families. The fielding coach revealed that a total of seven players had brought their family with them. After being informed of the decision, Ravi Shastri made it clear that the team would boycott the tour if the families were not allowed.

“There were totally 7 players who had brought their families and kids. How to convey this to them? Then came Ravi Shastri into the scene. He then set up a zoom meeting since all of us were in our rooms doing our quarantine,” said Sridhar before revealing Ravi Shastri’s message: ‘If my players’ families are not allowed, then we won’t be going to Australia as well. Do whatever you can. That’s the news from the centre’.

“And then he added, ‘No one knows Australia better than me. I have been going there for the last 40 years’. How one should behave or bargain with them, I know, I know’. He gave his usual sigh after that. He literally made sure that BCCI listened to what he said. They listened and then allowed for our families to travel with us. Australian Government worked overnight during the weekend to get the permission,” added Sridhar.

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