Ravi Shastri plays down Glenn McGrath's 4-0 prediction

Ravi Shastri

The director of cricket for the Indian cricket team Ravi Shastri has refused to be drawn into a verbal dispute with Glenn McGrath after the latter had predicted that India would get whitewashed again in Australia. The former Australian fast bowler had made similar comments in 2011 and was proven right back then.

Speaking to the media before the Indian team’s departure to Australia, Shastri simply said: “McGrath is entitled to his opinion.”

The 54-year-old also added that India shouldn’t be intimidated by Mitchell Johnson and co., who terrified the English batsmen into submission last year. He is pleased with the players selected for the tour and said they have what it takes to succeed in trying condition down under.

“We have got an exciting bunch of young players but that does not mean they should be intimidated by the opposition. If you are prepared to guts it out, then there is no reason why you can’t perform. They are good competitors, but we can show them that even we are good competitors. This bunch has it,” he said.

The former Indian captain also recommended the Indian cricketers to take time off from the game and focus on other things during the tour when there are breaks between matches.

“I think it’s very important that when you have a long tour, you have the ability to switch off ... You don’t have to be thinking overtime. You need to focus on what you have to do but when you are not playing, you switch off. You have got to have a way of relaxing, you have got to have hobbies. Australia is a great county, there are enough places to go to, get your mind off cricket,” he added.