Mumbai: One-time commentator, a television presenter-turned Team India director Ravi Shastri has come a long way. He needs no introduction when it comes to vocabulary, he is a cool customer and never in the pressure cooker situation. So what will he tell his boys during the six weeks of ICC World Cup? Let’s imagine.
These are the 10 things Shastri is likely to tell Indian cricketers in certain situations during the mega event. He just needs to get the feeling and the words will race to the boundary like a tracer bullet.
Before the start of every game: Mr Shastri has this habit of sticking to his words. He has been doing that for years. All that he can tell Mahendra Singh Dhoni before a match: “If you need to win here, you guys need to play well.” How do you win not playing well?
Talking about Dale Steyn: When India takes on South Africa, instead of strategising, he may just end up saying: “Dale Steyn is a fast bowler and one of the best in world cricket.” Really? We thought he was a batsman.
About Ishant Sharma in the middle overs: If Mahendra Singh Dhoni throws the ball at him, and you ask Mr Shastri the reason behind doing so. What will he reply? Come on, it’s not tough. “He has a habit of taking wickets.”
About a batsman in good touch: When Cheteshwar Pujara was timing the ball well, he had said: “Pujara is showing that he likes batting.” Well, that’s the reason he chose cricket as profession, right?
India-Pakistan match: India have had an unbeaten run against the arch rivals in World Cup. But given the recent slump, India need to pull up their socks. So, what will Shastri tell his boys about his feelings? “I just get the feeling that this is going to be really close.” He, and his feelings.
About Stuart Binny’s inclusion: The all-rounder’s inclusion in Team India squad for World Cup raised many questions but Shastri thinks, “that is exactly what the doctor ordered”. No, he doesn’t believe in prescriptions.
If a bowler bowls a wrong line: If an Indian bowler struggles to find his length and is sent for a leather hunt. It will not infuriate Shastri. Why? “It is not easy to bowl ball-after-ball.” How do you bowl otherwise and complete your spell?
To openers Rohit Sharma-Shikhar Dhawan: If India has to get a good start, a lot depends on Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan and with the ball moving and bouncing at the same time in Australia, what would he advice the batsmen? You should not be “edged and taken”.
In a situation when India is a wicket away from win: Mr Shastri doesn’t think twice before he unleashes his bullets. He would readily say: “What India needs now is a wicket.”
To Dhoni if India lost the match: “You were outperformed in all three departments of the game.”
Need we say more?
