Ravi Shastri: Only the fittest will survive for ICC World Cup 2019

After the announcement of the Indian ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series, MSK Prasad spoke about various topics in his press conference. One of the highlight was his emphasis on fitness, which he said would be a parameter for selection of squad for ICC World Cup 2019. India thrashed Sri Lanka by 3-0 in the Test series. Team India celebrated Independence Day at Kandy and on Wednesday, Ravi Shastri in an exclusive interview with The Times of India (TOI), emphasised on fitness as well. The Sri Lanka series was Shastri’s first assignment as new India head coach. He also spoke in length about how he wants to see India excel in Test cricket.

Highlighting more on the fitness aspect, Shastri said, “When the time comes for India to field a side for the 2019 50-over World Cup, we should have the best fielding XI in the world walking out. Only the fittest of the lot will survive and thrive going forward and that’s right up there in the list of priorities. The World Cup has its own space that needs to be respected. And while that remains the goal, a fact also remains that if India need to show their real might in the game, then achieving results in Test cricket is the pinnacle.” Shastri agreed that both the goals were different. However, he wants the team to take up these goals in the right fashion and zeal. “Now, these are two different sets of goals altogether.”

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“Both require a completely different level of preparation. Look at countries like England and Australia and how they perceive the game. Playing top-notch Test cricket and excelling in it is what they want to do. World Cups keep coming every four years and of course, we all understand its importance from a global and fan perspective. But if this team really has to be tested, then it’s Test cricket and we have plenty of it coming up next year,” Shastri added.

India’s victory against Sri Lanka was their first clean sweep away from home in a series of three Tests or more. A rather pleased Shastri concluded, “A disciplined approach is what counts. For instance, look at this series. Barring the two no-balls in the second Test from Hardik and one in the third game from Shami, we’ve not faltered. If we have to look at the bigger picture, we’re taking away more than what the scorecard will convey.”