Ravi Shastri, whose coaching stint with Team India ended after T20 World Cup 2021, was one of the most successful Indian head coaches ever. Team India achieved many milestones during his tenure and went a notch higher. The highlight was defeating Australia in Australia on consecutive tours. He along with his support staff build a pool of cricketers that has made India a force to reckon with in world cricket at present across all formats.
However, the journey was not smooth at all. Despite the rich success, the former India all-rounder has received severe criticism. Shastri, while talking to the UK newspaper ‘The Guardian’ said that he had to develop a thick skin to deal with jealous people around him.
“I didn’t have coaching badges. Level one? Level two? **** that. And in a country like India, there is always jealousy or a gang of people willing you to fail. I had a thick skin, thicker than the leather of the Dukes ball you use. A real solid hide,” Shastri said.
On April 17, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), appointed Rob Key as the new Managing Director of Cricket of the men’s national team. Ravi Shastri said that it would be crucial for Rob to communicate regularly with the players.
He added: “And you need a bloody hide over here. Rob will develop this as he does the job, because every day you are judged. And I am glad he has a lot of captaincy experience from his time at Kent, because communication with the players is absolutely paramount.”
If one single expletive comes your way, give them three back- Ravi Shastri
The 59-year-old highlighted that building a Team culture and playing with an aggressive mindset is very important. He also revealed his mantra for the boys to deal with sledging from the Aussies. Shastri said:
“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 expletive comes your way, give them three back: two in our language and one in theirs.”
Ravi Shastri also selected Ben Stokes to be the best candidate to take up England’s Test captaincy, after Joe Root’s resignation. He added, “The adrenaline of captaincy – not that he needs it – could fire Stokes up to be something even more than the incredible player he is now.”
“The important relationship is with the captain – the moment there is friction, things go downhill. But they will be fine because the England I saw last year, they have enough talent and skill to compete. There’s no doubt about that in my mind. It’s all about their mindset,” Ravi Shastri concluded.
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