Indian opening batter KL Rahul expressed his disappointment after his side failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
India rounded off the Super 12s stage of the showpiece event with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Namibia in Group 2 on Monday. Both sides had already failed to make the semi-finals before the action got underway in Dubai, but India finished on a high as half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul helped them chase 133 with ease.
“Not the ideal World Cup for us, but we learn and grow. Grateful to all our fans for their love and support.
Thank you to our coaches for helping us grow as cricketers. A big shout-out to @virat.kohli for being a leader who led by example and for everything you have done for us,” wrote Rahul on Koo.
Coming to the game, spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin set the foundation, taking three wickets apiece to help prevent Namibia from setting an imposing total on a good wicket.
India was left to rue what could have been in the UAE after recording their third win, as two defeats in their opening two games against semi-finalists Pakistan and New Zealand cost them a place in the last four.
KOHLI THANKS COACH, STAFF
Indian men’s cricket team captain (ODIs and Test) Virat Kohli on Wednesday thanked the former head coach Ravi Shastri and the support staff for all the memories.
Head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar’s tenures ended with India crashing out of the ICC T20 World Cup in the Super 12 stage. Shastri will be replaced by former India captain Rahul Dravid when the team returns home from the United Arab Emirates to host New Zealand in a series of three T20Is and two Tests from November 17.
“Thank you for all the memories and the amazing journey we’ve had as a team with you all. Your contribution has been immense and will always be remembered in Indian cricket history. Wish you the best moving forward in life. Until next time,” Virat Kohli tweeted.
Under Shastri, Team India played 43 Tests, out of which the side won 25 and lost 13. Not to forget, Shastri and Co also have a good showing in England on their CV. Team India lead the five-match series 2-1 and the final match of the series will be played next year.
Team India played 76 ODIs and 65 T20Is under Shastri. The Men in Blue managed to win 51 ODIs and 43 T20Is.
The bilateral series is where the Men in Blue dominated, but the ICC title kept on eluding Shastri and Kohli, and it is safe to say that the wheels came off in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which was the last assignment for Shastri.