Shastri became an opener in 1982, a superstar in 1985, and a permanent fixture in the ODI and Test sides. His exploits in the summer of 1983—when India won the World Championship of cricket and Shastri the Champion of Champions award—have been celebrated and written about. But a month before that, he had slammed six sixes in an over against Baroda’s left—spinner Tilak Raj in a Ranji Trophy match--- and became the first to do so in First Class cricket after West Indian legend Garry Sobers.
A dodgy knee forced Shastri to retire at 30 in 1992 after which he went on to become a successful and outspoken commentator; Team India’s director, and a much admired head coach for four years from 2017. Though he did not deliver an ICC trophy, he is credited with building a team that beat the Aussies in their own den twice. An astute tactician and a keen reader of the game, Shastri is known for speaking his mind, and it was no different in an exclusive interview. He spoke at length about team India’s way forward, the youngsters waiting in the wings, the impact of the IPL, India’s 10--year trophy draught and the upcoming World Cup.
Q. You spoke about how the Australians have been managing players. How should that be done in India? Who should be phased out? Which of the seniors can be kept? And how are the youngsters who should come in?
A. I do not believe in naming players. I believe in a system, and I believe selectors have important role to play because they watch cricket more than anybody else. Even if I can part of an Indian team…if I am the coach. I am not watching those players. So I believe the selectors. But, there comes a time when team management knows who to phase out and who to look for. And they only phase out people when you have replacements. That is when the hard calls will have to be made.
Since you mentioned Australia, I will give you an example. Adam Gilchrist was doing extremely well as a youngster. On the other side was Ian Healy, who could have easily played for another two years. He was that good. But they saw someone at a particular age who was good enough to be a world-beater. So a hard call was taken. It was communicated to Healy and Gilchrist came in.
Similarly, with Michel Slater; Justin Langer came in. also with lot of middle—order batsmen. Dean Jones went out, the Waugh brothers (Steve and Mark) came in. Damien Martyn went out, someone else came in. The Husseys (Michael and David) came in, similarly, with the fast bowlers. That is the role of the selectors along with the establishment and the think tank. There has to be a high level of communication and the vision to see where you want to be. (IPA Service)
INDIAN CRICKETING ALLROUNDER RAVI SHASTRI HAS AN UNCANNY GRASP OF YOUNG PLAYERS
THE FORMER COUNTRY COACH HAS ADVISED FOR INCLUSION OF MORE NEW FACES IN INDIAN TEAM
Harihar Swarup - 2023-06-28 15:32
Ravi Shastri debuted for India as a cricketer in 1981. He was 18. A left-arm spinner who batted right—handed, he took six wickets in the test at Wellington, which India lost to New Zealand, and scored 22 at number 10. Playing alongside the likes of captain Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev must have been a great learning experience for the Mumbaikar. So, when he advocates the need to push youngsters when the experienced are still around, he has to be taken seriously. After India was defeated at the Oval in the final of the World Test Championship, Shastri, who was in London as a commentator, was first to say that India has to learn from Australia on making the transition smooth.