Team India coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday said that winning a world title is an "obsession" for his team. Shastri also said that limited over matches against New Zealand and South Africa will be used as a platform for his team's preparations for the T20 World Cup in Australia this October.
In an interview ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand, the head coach talked about many important topics including the legacy he wants to create, preparations for the big ICC event, team culture and injuries to his players.
"That toss will be taken out of the equation, we will play well irrespective of conditions, of opponents and in every country of the world. That's what our aim is and that is what we are chasing. Yes, the World Cup remains an obsession and we will do all to fulfill that ambition," Shastri said.
“The hallmark of this team is enjoying each other’s success”, the head coach added.
He emphasized, "The word 'I' is not there in our dictionary. It's 'we'. That's what this team stands for. It celebrates each other's achievements because it's the team that wins".
"The Australia series was proof of the mental strength and the ability to play under pressure. After the hammering at the Wankhede, to come back and play like the way we did, merits a lot of credit and praise.”
"It showed courage and as Virat used the word brave, it showed we are unafraid to play brave cricket and with intent," said Shastri.
Ravi Shastri also talked about Shikhar Dhawan’s unfortunate injury and said it has upsetted him.
"Very sad because he (Dhawan) is a senior player. He is a match-winner. When someone suffers an injury of that sort, everyone is hurt in the team", he mentioned.
He also said that the team is not bothered by the kind of surfaces New Zealand will dish out.
"We, as a team, don't think about all that. We address something when we see it. We see facts, we address. We don't go into the history or the past”.
