India cricket coach, Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri. (Photo: Twitter)

Former India coach Ravi Shastri assessed that Virat Kohli’s side “lacked the daring” in their T20 World Cup encounter against New Zealand, which the Black Caps won by 8 wickets after restricting India to 110.

It was virtually a must-win game for India, after having suffered a loss to Pakistan. Then, despite three comprehensive wins over Afghanistan, Scotland, and Namibia, India couldn’t make it into the semis.

Ravi Shastri asserted that the players have been fatigued out mentally for being on the road for months, living in the bio-bubbles. Several of the players have been in different bubbles since the Test tour of England in June, which was followed by the IPL.

India vs New Zealand
India vs New Zealand. Credits: ICC

“I think [against] Pakistan, we got the runs on the board. But against New Zealand we didn’t have the daring. That doesn’t mean we didn’t gave steel, that can’t dissapear one day. We are talking of steel over the last five-six years that has made this team one of the greats to have played the game accross formats,” Ravi Shastri told India Today.

“We lacked the daring and that can happen when you are fatigued mentally. When you look at the amount of time these boys have spent in a bubble, it can happen there, like it happened against New Zealand.”

You need that spark, that x-factor to kick in, and it doesn’t: Ravi Shastri

Speaking further on the New Zealand loss, the 59-year-old former all-rounder reckoned India didn’t have the “spark” and the “x-factor”.

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Kane Williamson’s side and Aaron Finch’s Australia have now reached the final, defeating favourites England and Pakistan respectively.

India National Cricket Team
India National Cricket Team. Image Credits: ICC

“You need that spark, that x-factor to kick in, and it doesn’t. This is not an excuse, but it didn’t happen that day. I’ll put my hand up and say we lacked the daring in that game against New Zealand,” Ravi Shastri admitted.

The BCCI is set to announce a new set of coaching staff. According to Cricbuzz, T Dilip, Paras Mhambrey are likely to be the new fielding and bowling coaches respectively, with Vikram Rathour to continue as the batting coach, to support new head coach, Rahul Dravid. Their first assignment would be the home T20I and Test series against New Zealand.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Marais Erasmus, Richard Kettleborough Set To Officiate In New Zealand-Australia Final