Ravi Shastri responds

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Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has been the subject matter of various memes. Shastri has been an easy target for trolls not only in Team India's defeats but even when the Men in Blue record a win. While the players get the credit for their performances when the Virat Kohli led side registers wins, it is quite often the coaching staff led by Shastri who is often blamed for their losses. Interestingly, most of memes targeting Shastri allege him being an "alcoholic."

Shastri takes it in good humour, responds to "dry state" meme

Shastri, however, has taken the trolls in good humour, terming it "banter." Post India's win over England in the Ahmedabad Test inside two days, several memes had yet again targeted the 58-year-old, suggesting that he could not have stayed in a "dry state" for five and hence told the team to finish the Test off in two days. However, the Indian coach has responded to it by saying that he loves the banter.

"Love the banter ! Feels good to bring some smiles in these tough times," he said.

Here is the Twitter exchange:

 

The "pitch" debate after Ahmedabad Test

After the hosts' win over England in a match that lasted a little over one and a half days, several members especially from the England cricket fraternity had criticised the pitch terming it not suitable for "5-day Tests." Former English skippers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss even said harsh words about Indian captain Virat Kohli for coming out and defending the wicket as if he was putting forward the BCCI's point of view.

As a result of India's win, they remain alive in the race to the ICC World Test Championship final and have taken an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series with a Test to go.