Tri-series was sheer waste of time: Shastri

Perth, March 3

Indian team has performed to its potential in the World Cup so far despite having being “mentally drained” by the preceding tri-series, according to Team Director Ravi Shastri who today dismissed that series as “sheer waste of time and energy”.

India entered the quadrennial extravaganza following a winless tour Down Under, losing the Test series and being knocked out early in the tri-series which had Australia and England as the two other participants.

“I think the team was mentally drained after playing the tri-series. The boys needed to recharge their batteries and freshen up for the World Cup. The break from cricket did them a world of good as they came all guns blazing when it was required. And frankly speaking, I believe that this tri-series was sheer waste of time and energy,” Shastri said.

Shastri was not surprised by India’s stunning turnaround of fortunes in the mega event where they have already won all their matches, including the one against South Africa, convincingly. “I am not at all surprised. In fact, why should I be surprised that the team has started on a magnificent note. I had complete belief in the boys and their abilities. It was a case of performing to their potential and that’s exactly what has happened in the two matches against Pakistan and South Africa. If you ask me, the script went on expected lines.”

Heaping praise on batting mainstay Virat Kohli, Shastri said he has been the best-ever Indian performer on Australian soil. “As far as I am concerned, I have never seen any Indian batsman perform better than Virat on Australian soil.” — PTI