Sourav Ganguly Savages Ravi Shastri For 'Best Travelling Side' Comment

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has called Ravi Shastri immature after the India head coach rated his team the “best travelling side in last 15-20 years” despite losing the ongoing England vs India series.

Earlier this week, Ravi Shastri caused a stir in the cricketing fratnerity by calling the current side the best travelling team in the last 15-20 years.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Shastri said:

“I can’t see any other Indian team in the last 15-20 years that has had the same run in such a short time, and you have had some great players playing in those series. So the promise is there, and it’s just about getting tougher mentally. You have got to hurt when you lose matches because that’s when you look within and come out with the right kind of answers to combat such situations and get past the finishing line. One day you will if you believe.”

Shastri’s comments came at a time when the team was facing criticism for losing yet another overseas Test series. Shastri was perhaps pointing to the wins which came against Sri Lanka (twice) and West Indies – teams India were expected to beat anyway.

However, the performance in countries like England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia continues to be a worrying factor  for India. A lot was expected from the current team but they too have failed to deliver. Virat Kohli & Co. have already lost in South Africa and England this year and will visit Australia later this year. India’s last series win in those countries came back in 2009 when they had defeated New Zealand 1-0 in a three-match series.

The only positive for India from South Africa and England series this year is that they were competitive. However, failure to capitalise on opportunities have cost the team dear. And the series defeats have not surprisingly attracted widespread criticism.

And now Shastri is also facing the heat for his blatant defence of the team.

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has already slammed him for the comments and now Sourav Ganguly has also responded. Calling Shastri immature, Ganguly said one should not pay too much attention to his words.

“It is immature of him to talk like this. You shouldn’t pay too much attention to his words. What he says and when he says no one knows. I don’t want us to focus too much on his statement. All I want is that India plays good cricket in this last Test,” Ganguly told IndiaTV.

“It is not possible to compare players and teams from different eras with each other. We all have played for the Indian team, whether it is Dhoni or Dravid or others, we all have represented the same Indian team. We support Virat Kohli and the rest of the boys.  I wish the Indian side good luck for the fifth and final Test of the series starting at The Oval on September 7,” he added.

Ganguly is regarded as one of India’s finest captains when it comes to overseas Test series. Under his captaincy, India drew a Test series in England (2002) and Australia (2003-04) apart from winning a Test in the West Indies and a series in Pakistan.

On the other hand, under Rahul Dravid, India won two series in the West Indies (2006) and England (2007) apart from winning a Test in South Africa. Anil Kumble led a team to its first-ever win in Perth while Dhoni captained the team to a series win in New Zealand. Under Dhoni’ India drew a Test series in South Africa.