India coach Ravi Shastri reveals major trophy "obsession"

The 57-year-old won the World Cup as a player in 1983 but wants to repeat that achievement in his current role

Ravi Shastri, the India coach, has spoken of his desire to secure a major trophy as head of the senior men's team.

The 57-year-old has yet to take the side past the semi-finals in each of the three tournaments he has overseen during his premiership.

India will have three further opportunities to break their duck under Shastri before his contract is due to expire in 2021.

Over the next two years there are two T20 World Cups - including one on home soil - and the climax to the inaugural Test Championship.

Shastri won the 50-over World Cup as a player in 1983 and wants to repeat that achievement in his position of coach.

"Huge [obsession]," Shastri told India Today when asked about his desire to claim a major honour. 

"I am a winner, man. I have been part of a World Cup team that won in 1983. I have been part of a World Championship team that won in 1985.

^{Ravi Shastri has led India to seven straight wins at the start of the World Test Championship}

"I'm a coach of the Indian team which has been the No. 1 Test team in the last three years. I like to win. So, yes, would you say that [I am after] one event [ICC title]; I'll chase that, with my team.

He added: "It is an obsession for me. I am going to chase it, with my team. This team will go down in the history of Indian cricket, in world cricket, as one of the best teams of the century.

"Okay. I'm telling you now. But we are going to chase that [ICC title], and that will be cherry on top of the cake. We are chasing it. My team, me, my management, we are chasing it. So, if you say it's an obsession, it is a bloody obsession. Get that right."

Despite Shastri's ambitions, India are currently regarded as outsiders for the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

But they currently lead the Test Championship table having won all seven of their matches so far. The top two qualify for the final at Lord's in June 2021.

Subscribe to The Cricketer this Christmas and receive a £20 John Lewis voucher or Alastair Cook’s autobiography. Claim your free gift here