Not surprised by India's performance at the World Cup so far: Ravi Shastri

MS Dhoni and Ravi Shastri

Indian team director Ravi Shastri has said that it didn't surprise him one bit that the present Indian team have made such a stupendous return to winning ways at the ongoing 2015 World Cup down under. The Men in Blue came into the competition, following a winless tour of Australia, but have played some extremely impressive cricket in the tournament so far and find themselves on top of Pool B with 6 points in 3 games.

“I am not at all surprised. In fact, why should I be surprised that the team has started on a magnificent note. I had complete belief in the boys and their abilities,” Shastri said in an interview to PTI on Tuesday.

“It was a case of performing to their potential and that's exactly what has happened in the two matches against Pakistan and South Africa. If you ask me, the script went on expected lines,” he added.

The 52-year-old also felt that the Carlton Mid Tri-series that MS Dhoni’s men featured in after a gruelling four-match Test series against Australia was a complete waste of time and energy and added that the break which the players got, after failing to make it to the final of that tournament, did them a world of good.

“I think the team was mentally drained after playing the tri-series. The boys needed to recharge their batteries and freshen up for the World Cup. The break from cricket did them a world of good as they came all guns blazing when it was required. And frankly speaking, I believe that this tri-series that we played was sheer waste of time and energy,” the 1983 World Cup winner said.

MS Dhoni has always led from the front: Ravi Shastri

He also heaped praise on limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni, saying that he has always been a forward-thinking captain and has earned the respect of his teammates inside the dressing room because of his true leadership qualities.

“Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the undisputed leader of the Indian cricket team. He has been the boss for last eight years. He has been pro-active and has always led from the front.

“He has been a terrific limited-overs cricketer. He has won matches for India and is a calming influence in that dressing room. He has earned respect from his colleagues because he is a true leader,” he said.