Ravi Shastri and Ravichandran Ashwin are known for their strong personalities and have often found themselves at odds over team-related matters. In a recent interview, Ashwin shed light on the current state of Team India, expressing his view that there are no friendships within the national team and that everyone is simply a colleague. He touched upon the challenges of addressing issues and problem-solving due to the intense competition for places in the team.
Addressing Ashwin’s statement, former India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed his perspective, emphasizing the presence of colleagues both in the dressing room and the commentary box.
“To me, they have always been colleagues. You have friends, and they are your colleagues. How many friends does one really have? If you ask anyone, they will probably say they have four or five close friends. I am content with having five friends, and I don’t seek more,” Shastri shared with The Week.
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“What I mean is that they are colleagues, always. Whether it’s in the commentary box or elsewhere,” he added.
Shastri’s response underscores his belief in the importance of a professional working relationship characterized by collegiality. While acknowledging the limited number of close friendships one may have, he highlights the value of maintaining a respectful and collaborative atmosphere among teammates and colleagues, be it on the field or off it.