"I will explain why Laxman has gone there with a completely different team because even that could be interpreted differently," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "Rahul Dravid and his team put in extensive hard work ahead of the T20 World Cup - right from planning. Since I saw this from close quarters, I'm saying this.

"They had specific in-depth plans for each venue and each opposition. So they would have been under not only mental but also physical burnout, and everyone needed a break. As soon as the New Zealand series ends, we have the Bangladesh tour. That's why we have a different coaching staff led by Laxman for this tour."

India made the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after winning four out of five group matches, but went down to eventual champions England.

"I do not believe in breaks," Shastri had said during a press interaction ahead of the first T20I between India and New Zealand in Wellington. "Because I want to understand my team, I want to understand my players and I want to then be in control of that team.

"These breaks... what do you need that many breaks for to be honest?. You get your two-three months of the IPL; that's enough for you to rest as a coach. But other times, I think a coach should be hands on - whoever he is."