Azhar criticises Shastri, Kohli's absence in press meet after T20 defeat
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Mumbai: Reacting to India's defeat by New Zealand in a Group 2 game of the ongoing T20 World Cup on Sunday former India skipper Mohammed Azharuddin said that there is nothing to be ashamed about a defeat, but one must take responsibility.
Azhar said that head coach Ravi Shastri should've attended the post-match press conference as pacer Jasprit Bumrah faced media after the match. According to Azharuddin either the captain or the coach should have come for the presser or someone from the coaching staff.
He also said that sending Bumrah for the press conference was not right and completely unacceptable. The former Indian captain also said that if the team lost a match, the captain or the coach must come and explain to the nation why the team lost.
"How can you expect Bumrah to answer these questions? If you are ready to face the media when the team wins then you should also step forward when your team is going through a rough phase," Azharuddin said during a discussion on ABP News.
"In my view, the coach should have come for the press conference. If Virat Kohli doesn't want to attend the press conference, that's fine. But, Ravi (Shastri) bhai should've attended the press conference," Azharuddin, who played 99 Tests and 334 ODIs for India, further added.
India's top-order failed to deliver once again on Sunday as the team could manage a score of 110/7 in 20 overs. For New Zealand, Trent Boult was the pick of the bowlers for taking three wickets while Ish Sodhi also scalped two wickets. For India, Ravindra Jadeja top-scored with a 19-ball 26.
In reply, the Blackcaps chased down the target in just 14.3 overs as Daryl Mitchell scored a brilliant 49 off just 35 balls.
Team India now have an outside chance of qualifying for the semis. They will have to win their remaining games and hope that the other results go their way. India will now take on Afghanistan in their next game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.