'We were timid and not daring': Ravi Shastri pinpoints reasons why India lost to NZ

Former Team India He Coach, Ravi Shastri has opened up on two back-to-back defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand in ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Shastri, while speaking to Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, said Virat Kohli-led side was very timid against Kiwis and lacked "daring" that was required to win match on day. On loss against Pakistan, Shastri reckoned that India was 10-15 runs short and that Babar Azam's side played "outstandingly" well to beat Men in Blue.

"In T20 cricket it's all about how good you are on day and how bold you are in taking initiative. In game against Pakistan, we got some runs on board but we were 10-15 short and y played outstandingly well to beat us. In next game against New Zealand, I thought we lacked daring, let me be honest. I am not one who gives excuses. We didn't have daring, we were timid on that day against New Zealand and paid price for it. So, if you lose two games in a trot in a T20 World Cup, re is very little time to catch up," Shastri said while speaking to Arnab on Republic TV. 

Team India lost its first two games of ICC T20 World Cup 2021, which saw Pakistan and New Zealand move ahe in points table. India was n put in a tricky situation where side needed to win all its remaining matches and required New Zealand and Afghanistan to lose at least one of ir games in order to make it to semi-finals. However, New Zealand managed to win all its remaining games in group stage and left India behind to vance to knockout stage. 

Shastri as Team India He Coach

As far as Shastri is concerned, former India international h joined Indian national men's cricket team as ir he coach in 2017, days after side suffered a humiliating defeat in final of ICC Champions Trophy. Under Shastri's reign, India went on to become top-ranked Test side in world and also won ICC Test mace for three consecutive years. India also won its first-ever Test series in Australia after Shastri took over as he coach. Before start of T20 World Cup in October, Shastri h announced his decision to step down, which he did after India's early exit from competition. Former India cricketer Rahul Dravid has been appointed new he coach of Team India.   

Image: AP/Republic World