Shastri stressed because of the long tournament sides should be allowed to pick 16 members instead of the conventional 15. © Getty

India coach Ravi Shastri revealed that the Indian team would have preferred a 16-man team for the upcoming World Cup in England and that it had also communicated the same to the cricket's governing body, ICC. Shastri also opined that hosts England start the tournament as favourites before adding that any team can beat any other on its day in a tournament like the World Cup.

Speaking at an event in Dubai, Shastri said, as coach, he doesn't get involved in selection matters, but only provides inputs to the captain. "I don't get involved in selection. If we have any opinion, we let the captain known," Shastri said. "When you only have 15 to pick, there is bound to be someone or the other who misses out, which is very unfortunate. I would have preferred 16 players. We had mentioned to the ICC that in a tournament that long, 16 players makes sense. But the diktat was 15."

Any World Cup squad announcement comes concomitant with disappointment for those that have missed out. Shastri stressed on the need for the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant to not lose heart. "They (who missed out) shouldn't lose heart. It's a funny game. There could be injuries. So you never know when you could be called up," he said.

The selection committee's decision to go for Vijay Shankar over both Pant and Rayudu has created a lot of debate. Shastri was not drawn into the issue, but did mention that there has to be total flexibility when it came to the personnel needed for the position. "Total flexibility (on No. 4 position) depending on conditions, opposition. I would say the top three but after that you can be very flexible," he said.

Shastri added that the team was not too heavily reliant on just Virat Kohli, and that the results only underline the same. "If you look at the last five years, the way the Indian team has performed, they have always been in the top two or three. To be in top two or three for five years in a row, No 1 in Tests, again top three in T20 cricket you can't depend on one player. You have that kind of consistent record, you need a bunch of players performing all the time. Due credit to the team," he said.

When asked about who he considered favourites for the tournament, the India coach said: "England have been the most consistent team over the last two years. They have multi-dimensional players. They have depth in bowling and batting. And they are playing at home. So they would start as favourites."