Ravi Shastri's no-nonsense take on IPL after India's loss in World Test Championship 2023 Final

India's wait for a major World Title continues as they lost the World Test Championship 2023 Final against Australia. The Kangaroos thrashed India by 209 runs at the Oval on Day 5 of the final. The Indian side was bowled out on 234 on the final day of the Test while chasing 444, losing for the second time in a row in the tournament's championship match.

A lot of discussions also centred on India's preparations for the WTC Final this year. Except for Cheteshwar Pujara, all players of the Indian side competed in the Indian Premier League 2023 and arrived in England less than two weeks before the final.

India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, previously said that a three-week practice time in England was ideal and that two tour matches would've been an excellent preparation for the game. Now, the side's former head coach, Ravi Shastri, has also spoken in depth about the same.

There should be certain clauses put in for the franchises: Ravi Shastri

When questioned if players should have a lengthy break between the IPL and the final, Shastri bluntly dismissed the idea, saying that it would be entirely up to the players' choice. “That's never going to happen. Let's be realistic. You're going to get 20 days, but if that's the case, you got to miss the IPL. The choice is yours,” Shastri said on Star Sports.

“It's up to the establishment as well. I'm sure the BCCI is going to review this in the future. If the WTC Final is going to come after the IPL, in the month of June, for that season, if your team qualifies for the final, there should be certain clauses put in for the franchises,” Shastri added.

Due to the players' varying schedules in the 2023 season of the IPL, Team India travelled to England in separate groups for the WTC Final. Among the players who participated in the final, Mohammed Shami, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja were among the last to arrive in England.