The former India head coach knows all too well what it takes to make the transition from the commentary box to one of the most high-profile positions in men's cricket
Ravi Shastri says the relentlessness of leading India means he has no interest in the vacant England men's head coach position.
The 59-year-old held the role between 2017 and 2021 before being replaced by Rahul Dravid following the T20 World Cup.
And as England considers candidates to succeed Chris Silverwood - Gary Kirsten, Graham Ford and Paul Collingwood appear to be among the contenders - Shastri has no interest in entering the running.
"Seven years with India – a full-time job, 300 days a year, 1.4 billion people judging you every day – that takes its toll," he told The Guardian. "Good luck to anyone who lasts that long."
During Shastri's four years at the helm, he guided India to No.1 in the Test rankings, to the inaugural WTC Final and to the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup in England.
The former allrounder, who played 80 Tests and 150 one-day internationals for India, believes he was continually undermined during his tenure in charge.
"When I was the director of the team, it was about diagnosing problems: I was asked to hire and fire, whoever I wanted I could get in and whoever I didn’t could be shown the door."
"In a country like India, there is always jealousy or a gang of people willing you to fail," he added.
I had a thick skin, thicker than the leather of the Dukes ball you use. A real solid hide. And you need a bloody hide over here."
Between his retirement from professional cricket in 1992 and taking over the India role, Shastri spent a lengthy period in the commentary box.
Rob Key is set to make a similar transition, having left Sky Sports to become the new managing director of England men's cricket, going from analysing players to making key decisions on the direction of the team.
"Rob may have more work with the domestic game but, when it comes to the national team, it is very similar," he added.
"The most important thing is getting among the players and setting a tone from the outset: what you believe in, what you think of them and changing the mindset to compete and win.
Key has moved from a comfortable position in the media to a prominent role with England (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
"You have to be bullish and brutish in wanting to achieve that. For us, and now England, it was about setting the challenge of winning abroad, big time.
"I was very firm when it came to team culture: all the prima donnas and all that s**t, that had to go out of the window early.
"And you leave everything you said as a commentator behind. Park it.
"When I was the director of the team, it was about diagnosing problems: I was asked to hire and fire, whoever I wanted I could get in and whoever I didn’t could be shown the door.
"And it was also outlining how we want to play: to be aggressive and ruthless, to up the fitness levels, to get a group of fast bowlers to take 20 wickets overseas.
"And it was about attitude, especially when playing the Aussies. I told the boys if one single ‘f**k you’ comes your way, give them three back: two in our language and one in theirs."
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