Sports · Cricket · 6 hrs ago
Ravi Shastri says coaching India was tougher than playing or commentating
Ravi Shastri says coaching was his toughest cricket role, harder than playing or commentating.
He said a coach has little control once players take the field, but carries responsibility for results and faces high expectations from the country.
Shastri was India's head coach from July 2017 to November 2021.
During his tenure, India won Test series in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21, including a second victory despite injuries.
India also held the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for 42 months and reached the 2021 World Test Championship final.
Shastri said success brought respect and job satisfaction, while his passion for cricket kept him involved in coaching and broadcasting.
Ravi Shastri said coaching India was tougher than playing cricket or working as a commentator.
He said a coach has little control once players enter the field but carries immense responsibility amid the country’s expectations.
Shastri said success as a coach brings respect and job satisfaction.
He was India’s head coach from July 2017 to November 2021.
During his tenure, India won two Test series in Australia and spent 42 months at No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings.
- Who
- Ravi Shastri, former India head coach and cricketer.
- What
- He said coaching India was tougher than playing or commentating.
- When
- He shared his views in an interview published on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- He said coaches have little control once players take the field but face immense responsibility and the country’s expectations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Shastri began his tenure as India head coach.
India won its first-ever Test series in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India won a second Test series in Australia, by 2-1.
India reached the final of the inaugural World Test Championship.
Shastri’s tenure as India head coach ended.
The Times of India published his comments on the pressures of coaching.
- India head coach
- Ravi Shastri
- Coaching tenure
- July 2017 to November 2021
- Test series in Australia
- Two victories
- ICC Test rankings
- No. 1 for 42 months
- World Test Championship
- Reached the inaugural final in 2021
What people are saying
Yeah, the toughest would be coaching, right.
You know, you always have the gun to your head.
COVID, no COVID, you got to win, you know, game after game.
I mean the only way we can hang in here if we are passionate about the game