When Ravi Shastri says “I care a damn for what people say about me” in reaction to the observation that his critics believe he is the coach of the team because of being a yes man to skipper Virat Kohli, he is not being intemperate, cocky or smug. He is just being himself, true to the image of a man who loves hyperbole over the mundane and likes a verbal challenge over being a mute spectator to what goes on around him.
He has had a more than satisfying stint as coach of the India team so far, just like the one he had before he was unceremoniously replaced the first time around after almost 18 months with the team. It is the third evening of the December smog-choked Delhi Test, though the air around us on the eighth-floor lounge of the team hotel is as fresh as an air-conditioned controlled environment can be. Shastri is relaxed, probably basking in the outstanding cricket his team has played in home conditions ever since he has returned after Anil Kumble had to go out for reasons well known, though never spelt out very clearly.
Well versed with the ways of the world, having spent more than two decades as television commentator, where he made a virtue of even the tritest clichés, Shastri loves a duel, never backing down at any uncomfortable question thrown. “Let the world say what it wants to, I’m not answerable to them. What matters to me is the work I do with the Indian team and the results. If you really want to know what me and my support staff’s input is, ask the players, ask the captain. I care a jack at what you or anyone else believes or thinks.”
Having bared his heart in his typical, dramatic manner, Shastri then elaborates. “In cricket the captain is king and that is how it should be. My role is secondary, to guide and mentor. At this level, you can’t coach the players, only help them to bring together all the small, small pieces so that they can play with freedom and fulfill their true potential.” As if to make it clear that he is no baggage man, he adds: “In the team meetings, who speaks the most? I do. I am the one who lays down the broad contours that the team needs to fill in. Virat is a fantastic person to work with. His work ethic is unbelievable and there is nothing he demands from his team that he cannot achieve.”
Kohli and me
How and why does he jell so well with someone who has a mind of his own and never minces his words and speaks out his mind? “I am no headmaster. You should realise, all these players are millionaires and adults. I don’t need to mess with their lives. You can’t intrude into their private lives, or make them do things which are outside my purview. At the same time, I don’t compromise on discipline and fitness issues and in Virat, you have a captain who leads by example. How many captains in India have had the desire, ambition and discipline to achieve what he has and at the same time not be dishonest with his views?
“We have built a team that is not only fearless on the ground, but off it as well. The players are free to air their views in team meetings or individually to me and if anyone is dropped he is given the reason for it. I and Virat discuss various issues beforehand and only then present our vision to the team.” When I mention the word ‘trust’, he immediately latches on to it. “Yes, that is the word. It is because of the trust I developed with the team and captain in my first stint that they wanted me back. They not only have trust in me they also know I have no agenda. I take decisions in the best interest of the team and Indian cricket and they know that.”
Didn’t he feel angry and humiliated at being removed as a coach? Why did he decide to apply again? “Look, I’m not someone who keeps grudges. Yes, I felt bad and more than bad, surprised as I had done enough to keep my job. Once out, I had not thought of a comeback till I was doing commentary during the Champions Trophy, when it became clear that there was a problem with the team harmony. Somehow the communication channels between the coach and captain had broken down, which has been well advertised. I did not go into specifics, nor did I make an attempt to find out from the players the reasons for it. Suffice that there was a problem and when the BCCI decided to once again seek applications, I made myself available.”
Experience factor
Shastri to outsiders may come across as an arrogant, no-nonsense man who lives in a world protected by a wall of ‘I, me and myself’, a qualification that is a sure passport to failure as coach. But he, obviously, is far more sensitive to the world around him than he may appear.“My experience as a cricketer and then as a broadcaster has been of great help. I have watched almost all the cricket played over the last four decades, interacted with players across the world and seen carefully each ball bowled. That has given me immense insight into what it was like when I played and what it is now. In 2003 in South Africa I was asked to interact with the Indian team and tell them how to interact with the media. The session was scheduled for one and a half hour, but it extended way beyond that as most of the players were keen to know more about the media and how to deal with them.”
What did he tell them? “They were terrified of you guys. I told them to embrace the media, interact and make them understand your point of view. Of course, when wrong things are written, do react but treat them as friends and not adversaries. It is the same now. I understand from all sides what is needed and make them aware of how to handle their responsibilities.
“From a technical aspect, you can’t teach much, except for small adjustments in their grip, bowling arm etc, etc. For example, when we were in Australia, I was the one who suggested to Virat, who had been a major failure in England, to stand a foot or so outside the crease to counter the seam and swing of the ball. It worked wonderfully well for him.” He doesn’t get provoked when you tell him that even the great Sunil Gavaskar finds this mandatory yo-yo fitness test for players incomprehensible and why passing it is a must for selection.
“Well, anyone can have any view and a different view as well. As far as we are concerned, this is a collective team decision that has the support of the selectors. There will be no compromise on fitness. We have made it clear that in one-dayers, fitness and fielding have to be the basic criterion, combined of course with form, talent and performance.” Didn’t he go overboard in calling this team the best ever, that too after their performance against Sri Lanka in their country? He immediately retorts, “Do I come across as a fool to you? Why should I say something like that? All I said was that this team has the potential to become the best ever and I maintain that.”
He is aware that the ‘greatest ever’ status can’t be bestowed on the team on the strength of victories at home and the real test lies ahead as they embark on a tour of South Africa. “This is a huge opportunity and we are looking forward. We have the team to win and we know that. I have instilled in the boys that for us, all games are home games. Don’t we in domestic cricket play home and away, though we are playing all matches at home. The same mindset will apply when we play in foreign countries. We also play to win, no matter the situation. Play fearless cricket, no need to worry about defeat. I am confident and so is the team that we will win in South Africa.”
Shastri, who has made a name for himself in the commentary box, finds coaching a high-pressure job, a challenge he is loving at the moment. It is unlike being in the commentary box which he says is a “zero pressure game.” Love him or hate him, Shastri’s super self-confidence has a child-like stubbornness which can be even endearing. If his team really goes on to win against South Africa, his legend will get firm ground to stand upon.
coach highs
India are showing signs of turning into an aggressive side, eager to do well overseas with Ravi Shastri back at the helm this July. After the end of Anil Kumble’s tenure, the team hasn’t looked back, winning 19 out of the 24 matches played across all formats. Bowling or batting, Shastri seems to believe that he has resources to attack the opposition early on Director ‘scut
ODI Series Win in England: India started off on a high in Ravi Shastri’s first assignment as the Indian team director. After losing 3-1 in the Test series, the Men in Blue bounced back with a 3-1 victory in the 5-match ODI series
First Test Series Win in SL After 22 Years: India scripted history in August-September 2015, when they won their first Test series in Sri Lanka in 22 years
Asia Cup Victory: India continued their good form in the Asia Cup, which was played in February-March 2016. They won all their matches comfortably and beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets in the final
sour past
After Kumble pipped Shastri and several other contenders to man the Men in Blue’s reigns, Shastri’s public reaction to being overlooked for the post began with the understandable “disappointment” at missing out on a job someone desperately wanted. He then went on to hit out at Ganguly, one of the three men who were tasked with finding the new coach. Shastri also went on an interview spree with several newspapers to single out Ganguly who — as he himself confirmed — was absent during Shastri’s presentation and interview with the Cricket Advisory Committee. It was an ugly affair
Let the world say what it wants. What matters to me is the work I do with the team and the results it is giving.
If you really want to know what me and my support staff’s input is, ask the players, ask the captain.
If you really want to know what me and my support staff’s input is, ask the players, ask the captain.
2007 Ravi Shastri was appointed India team manager after a disastrous 2007 World Cup under the controversial Greg Chappell. It was a short stint as he came on board just for the Bangladesh tour. With the team morale low, Shastri did well to restore order, despite him not expecting the offer to be coming his way.
2014 Shastri took over as Team Director in 2014 after India lost the Test series against England 1-3, while Duncan Fletcher stayed coach of the national team. Fletcher left his post after the World T20 in 2016, where hosts India lost to the West Indies in the semis.
2017 His appointment as head coach came after a tumultuous phase which saw a captain-coach rift come out in the open. After former coach Anil Kumble resigned, post India’s ICC Champions Trophy final loss to Pakistan mentioning ‘untenable’ relationship with Kohli, the BCCI started the selection process. Top names like Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Richard Pybus applied. It was only when the date was extended that Shastri applied.