'Thank you so much for making me part of this incredible journey': Ravi Shastri pens emotional note after stepping down as India coach

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri on Saturday (November 13) wrote an emotional and moving note on social media after stepping down as India coach. Shastri’s term with team India ended after the team failed to qualify for the semifinals. Barring that small blip, India established themselves as a force to reckon with in all three formats under Shastri’s leadership.

He took India to the semifinals and the finals of the 50-over World Cup in 2019 and the World Test Championship respectively. India also beat Australia twice in their home den during his tenure. The 59-year-old expressed gratitude and described his journey with the team as incredible. He also tagged captains Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane in the social media post and said he will fondly cherish the memories and time spent with the players.

“Now that the penny has dropped… thank you so much for making me part of this incredible journey. Memories that I will cherish and a team that I will continue to back till the time I’m able to watch the sport. #TeamIndia @imVkohli @ImRo45 @ajinkyarahane88,” Ravi Shastri tweeted.

Now that the penny has dropped…thank you so much for making me part of this incredible journey. Memories that I will cherish and a team that I will continue to back till the time I’m able to watch the sport #TeamIndia @imVkohli @ImRo45 @ajinkyarahane88 🇮🇳🙏🏻

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) November 13, 2021

Along with the 59-year-old, even bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar respectively decided to walk away. Rahul Dravid has replaced Shastri as the head coach of team India. Shastri’s highlight of his coaching tenure undoubtedly remains the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2020-21. Without first-choice players such as Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah among others, India managed to beat Australia. Under the 59-year old’s coaching tenure, India won 25 of the 43 Tests. In 76 ODIs and 65 T20Is under Shastri, India won 51 and 43 matches respectively.