(Image source: X.com/@WisdenIndia)
[Saba Sports News] Former India head coach Ravi Shastri speaks his mind in the commentary box.
Having served as India’s team director in 2015-17 and head coach in 2017-21, Shastri surely knows a thing or two about the current Indian players.
Now that he is back as a commentator, he often can be heard, giving some important insights into the Indian dressing room.
Shastri, who was on the mic for the World Cup 2023 opener between England and New Zealand, credited Joe Root, who scored an intent-laden 77-run knock, taking a leaf out his Bazball book and implementing it in ODI cricket in the form of reverse sweeps.
While Shastri lauded Root for changing his approach as per England’s demands, he drew his an example with the Indian players, reflecting a contrasting nature between them.
Shastri opined that the Indian batters are so used to scoring runs that they often neglect the idea of playing according to what the team needs.
“Full credit to Root to adapt to what the team needs (after
reverse six). You get batters who are so stubborn. I speak from
experience of sitting in a dressing room where a lot of players were
hesitant to make a change because they’re afraid of what they might lose,” Shastri was quoted as saying.
When his fellow commentator Michael Atherton inquired if his advised was ignored, Shastri added:
“No, no. I literally had to push them to try something different.
Because they are so used to accumulating those runs over the years.
Sometimes you forget you got to evolve with the times. Because the
opponent is evolving. He knows your game. He is upon you.”