‘I will explain why…’ - Ravichandran Ashwin Explains Reasons Behind Head Coach’s Rest From New Zealand Tour After Ravi Shastri’s Recent Criticism

After the 20-20 World Cup, team India are currently in New Zealand for playing the three-match T20I series. All big-name players like Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma took a rest from this tour. Even, head coach Rahul Dravid took a rest from this tour. Hence, Hardik Pandya got the opportunity to lead the team in this T20I series.

On the other hand, VVS Laxman has joined the team to serve his duties as the head coach in the absence of Dravid. Regarding that, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri criticized a few days back. Now, Ravichandran Ashwin came up with the reasons behind the rest of Dravid from thesis ongoing tour.

“They had specific in-depth plans for each venue and each opposition.” - Ravichandran Ashwin on Rahul Dravid

During a virtual press conference, Ravi Shastri slammed Rahul Dravid and his team for taking a rest from the ongoing tour. He said: "I do not believe in breaks. Because I want to understand my team, I want to understand my players and I want to be in control of that team. These breaks... why do you need that many breaks for, to be honest? You get your 2-3 months of the Indian T20 League, that's enough for you to rest as a coach. But other times, I think a coach should be hands-on, whoever he is." 

In reply to that, on his official YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said: "I will explain why Laxman has gone there with a completely different team because even that could be interpreted differently. Rahul Dravid and his team put in extensive hard work ahead of the T20 World Cup, right from planning, since I saw this from close quarters, I'm saying this.” 

“They had specific in-depth plans for each venue and each opposition. So they would have been under not only mental but also physical burnout and everyone needed a break. As soon as the New Zealand series ends, we have the Bangladesh tour. That's why we have a different coaching staff led by Laxman for this tour," Ravichandran Ashwin concluded.