With the conclusion of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri era in Indian cricket has come to an end. While Shastri has handed over the reins to the new head coach Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli has been replaced by Rohit Sharma as India's T20 captain. Kohli and Shastri had joined as captains and coaches for four years from 2017. Indian cricket has achieved unprecedented success during this period. The 'Men in Blue' won several white-ball series both at home and abroad. The team also demonstrated the feat of winning two-Test series on Australian soil.
However, the biggest drawback of Shastri and Kohli's tenure was that the pair could not win any ICC title. Under former head coach Shastri, India played three ICC events – the 2019 World Cup, the World Test Championship, and the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2021, but could not hold the trophy even once.
Worst performance since 2007 ODI World Cup
Meanwhile, former Indian world champion captain Kapil Dev has presented a report card summarizing the performance of Team India under the leadership of Ravi Shastri. However, Kapil said that the national team has done a great job. He said that the absence of ICC title is something that makes the tenure of Shastri and Kohli incomplete. Talking about Team India's early exit in the T20 World Cup 2021, Kapil admitted that this was the first time after the 2007 ODI World Cup when India returned with such a poor performance.
The biggest drawback of the ICC trophy is
Kapil Dev said in an interview with Uncut, “I think both have done a wonderful job. I understand they couldn't get India a big trophy, but if we look at the last five years, since Kohli took over, nothing has been lacking. The biggest drawback of the ICC trophy is Also in Australia, England, India have won… wherever they have traveled, they have beaten the other team.” He said, “It is also a big deal to reach the World Cup knockouts. I think after the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies, it is the T20 World Cup, where it looked like India was disappointing. If they reach the top 4 and then lose, it is understandable. But if you don't reach the top 4 then there will be criticism."
Kapil Dev gave 90 points to Virat-Shastri
Overall, Kapil Dev gave India's performance 90 out of 100. He deducted 10 points due to a lack of ICC trophy. The former all-rounder said, “If you look at it from the trophy point of view, it is a completely different thing. But if you look at his cricket, the brand he has played for in the last five years, I would give him 90 out of 100. I will deduct 10 points for not winning the ICC trophy.
