New Delhi, Nov 17 (Agency) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri on Thursday disagreed with frequent breaks taken by current head coach Rahul Dravid and players. “I do not believe in breaks. Because I want to understand my team, I want to understand my players and I want to then be in control of that team. These breaks… What do you need that many breaks to be honest? You get your 2-3 months of the IPL, that’s enough for you to rest as a coach,” he said. Other times, a coach should be hands on, whoever he is,” Shastri told reporters in a virtual press conference held by Prime Video ahead of the first T20I between India and New Zealand.Dravid has not travelled to New Zealand and the coaching mantle has been given to VVS Laxman for the bilateral series against the Black Caps. This is not the first time that Dravid is taking the break.
Earlier he had taken it during India’s tour of Zimbabwe and home series against South Africa.So far, Dravid has been unable to win any tournament under his tutelage. The team failed to win the Asia Cup in the UAE and exited at the semifinal stage against England in T20 Men’s T20 World Cup.India are scheduled to face New Zealand in a three-match T20I series against New Zealand starting tomorrow.The first match will be played at Sky Stadium in Wellington. Hardik Pandya has been named the Indian captain for the T20I series as senior players have been rested alongside Dravid.