Self-belief, attitude biggest change in the team - Shastri
Ravi Shastri, India's team director, talks to ESPNcricinfo about his vision for the team, the structure of the support staff and the possibility of a long-term role with the side
Nagraj Gollapudi
06-Jun-2015
He might not commit about whether he wants to take a long-term role, but Ravi Shastri, India's team director, has a clear goal for the team: play hard, play to win and become a "competitive" Test unit both at home and away.
Having agreed to extend his tenure as the team director - a role which continues to be interim - for the forthcoming Bangladesh tour, Shastri has a road map on the way forward. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, he outlined his vision for the team, why he is confident the absence of a head coach will not hurt India, and how the recently appointed three-man advisory panel of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman can enhance the quality of cricket in India.
Virat Kohli told us about the massive boost you provide to the Indian team. "He is sensible and someone who gives you a lot of confidence and a lot of assurance," is how he summed your presence in the dressing room. Such praise must help your confidence, too?
It is nice to hear what Virat said but I must compliment the entire coaching staff. The coaching bunch we have are experienced people. Our main job is to make the job of a player as easy and as comfortable as possible so that he is in the right mental state of mind before he goes out in the field of play. So our main job is to prepare them in the best possible way so that they can go out, play aggressive, free cricket, and express themselves.
And to make this happen, it is not one man who is the catalyst, it is the entire coaching staff that is responsible - right from the bowling coach to the batting coach to the fielding coach who have done a magnificent job in the eight months we have been with the team.
When it comes to Virat, he is outspoken, he is straight. What you see is what you will get with him. That is the kind of mindset that is spreading within the team as well. It is an honest bunch. Apart from Virat being outstanding, I thought the Test series (in Australia) was the catalyst. Even today, 80% of people who know their cricket say they enjoyed watching the Test series.
It is nice to hear what Virat said but I must compliment the entire coaching staff. The coaching bunch we have are experienced people. Our main job is to make the job of a player as easy and as comfortable as possible so that he is in the right mental state of mind before he goes out in the field of play. So our main job is to prepare them in the best possible way so that they can go out, play aggressive, free cricket, and express themselves.
And to make this happen, it is not one man who is the catalyst, it is the entire coaching staff that is responsible - right from the bowling coach to the batting coach to the fielding coach who have done a magnificent job in the eight months we have been with the team.
When it comes to Virat, he is outspoken, he is straight. What you see is what you will get with him. That is the kind of mindset that is spreading within the team as well. It is an honest bunch. Apart from Virat being outstanding, I thought the Test series (in Australia) was the catalyst. Even today, 80% of people who know their cricket say they enjoyed watching the Test series.
Why did you decide to take up the offer of being the team director once again?
It is just a 14-day tour. You need some continuity so you are in the flow. This (Bangladesh) tour will be over by the 25th of this month (June). I will be in conversation with the board at some stage to see what their plans and what they think of my plans, and then take it from there. At the moment, the focus is on Bangladesh and the focus is to carry on the good work we have done in the last eight months.
It is just a 14-day tour. You need some continuity so you are in the flow. This (Bangladesh) tour will be over by the 25th of this month (June). I will be in conversation with the board at some stage to see what their plans and what they think of my plans, and then take it from there. At the moment, the focus is on Bangladesh and the focus is to carry on the good work we have done in the last eight months.
So to be clear, you have been appointed till the Bangladesh tour?
Yes. There is no question about that - my job is the Bangladesh tour. And after that we'll have to sit and talk.
Yes. There is no question about that - my job is the Bangladesh tour. And after that we'll have to sit and talk.
Are you willing to take a long-term role?
I am not thinking anything ahead. I am thinking Bangladesh, and that's it.
I am not thinking anything ahead. I am thinking Bangladesh, and that's it.
The last time we spoke, you stated that the roles for team director and head coach are different. Do you still maintain that?
Absolutely. (The role of the) Team director is more of overseeing the coaching staff. At the same time, with the experience that I have around the cricketing circuit, not just as a player but as a broadcaster, I can play the mentoring role, too.
Absolutely. (The role of the) Team director is more of overseeing the coaching staff. At the same time, with the experience that I have around the cricketing circuit, not just as a player but as a broadcaster, I can play the mentoring role, too.
Do you think there is still a role for a head coach in the Indian team?
There are three (assistant) coaches there and one of them can act as a head coach. If need be, there could be an additional one (head coach). If he is going to get something specific to the table, why not?
There are three (assistant) coaches there and one of them can act as a head coach. If need be, there could be an additional one (head coach). If he is going to get something specific to the table, why not?
Not much has been spoken about the three coaches. What kind of roles have Sanjay Bangar, Bharat Arun and R Sridhar played?
Look at the performances. I don't have to speak. You took 77 out of 80 wickets in the World Cup. You batted 19 days of Test cricket out of 20 in Australia. Not many sides do it. And (we) didn't end up losing every damn thing - we lost 2-0, but you gave yourself a chance of pushing them or even having the upper hand in every one of those four Test matches. And, of course, everyone saw the standard of fielding in the World Cup.
Look at the performances. I don't have to speak. You took 77 out of 80 wickets in the World Cup. You batted 19 days of Test cricket out of 20 in Australia. Not many sides do it. And (we) didn't end up losing every damn thing - we lost 2-0, but you gave yourself a chance of pushing them or even having the upper hand in every one of those four Test matches. And, of course, everyone saw the standard of fielding in the World Cup.
What is your vision?
The vision is very clear: that you want to be a very competitive Test side in the years to come. In the next couple of years, you want to be a Test side that is ready to play hard and competitive Test match cricket in any part of the world.
The vision is very clear: that you want to be a very competitive Test side in the years to come. In the next couple of years, you want to be a Test side that is ready to play hard and competitive Test match cricket in any part of the world.
To become competitive, you also mentioned in the past the pressing need to develop a fast-bowling department. "We have to get or develop bowlers who can get 20 wickets regularly," you had said. How do you go about doing that?
We are already on the way. They have learned a lot in Australia. You saw what happened in the World Cup - suddenly India had a fast-bowling attack. It surprised a lot of people, didn't surprise me one bit. But you can see that the work is in progress. It is not going to happen overnight. It is still going to take some time. But if they can apply the discipline that they showed in the World Cup in Test matches, the turn around the corner will be sooner rather than later.
We are already on the way. They have learned a lot in Australia. You saw what happened in the World Cup - suddenly India had a fast-bowling attack. It surprised a lot of people, didn't surprise me one bit. But you can see that the work is in progress. It is not going to happen overnight. It is still going to take some time. But if they can apply the discipline that they showed in the World Cup in Test matches, the turn around the corner will be sooner rather than later.
Harbhajan Singh has been included in the Test squad for Bangladesh. Where exactly can he make an impact, other than bringing in loads of experience?
(He brings in) Loads of experience. He is a bowler who has a fire in his belly. The fact that he has come into the side after a long time, I'm sure he will be hungry for wanting to again kick-start his career. It is a challenge for him and he has been the kind of bloke who has always thrived on a challenge. It is good to see him back. I think with (R) Ashwin he will make a very, very good combination. Both are experienced bowlers now.
(He brings in) Loads of experience. He is a bowler who has a fire in his belly. The fact that he has come into the side after a long time, I'm sure he will be hungry for wanting to again kick-start his career. It is a challenge for him and he has been the kind of bloke who has always thrived on a challenge. It is good to see him back. I think with (R) Ashwin he will make a very, very good combination. Both are experienced bowlers now.
From the time you took over as team director until now, what is the biggest change you have seen, something that you want to carry forward?
The self-belief and the attitude. The desire to play aggressive, hard cricket against the best in the world. They showed that in England towards the end in the ODI series. They showed it right through in India and then carried it into the Test series in Australia and the World Cup. That is why I keep saying people talk about the seven out of eight wins in the World Cup, but the majority of the people who know their cricket, and cricketers I have met, they cast their mind back to the Test series in Australia. They say it has been a long time since they have seen any team going to Australia and competing in that fashion.
The self-belief and the attitude. The desire to play aggressive, hard cricket against the best in the world. They showed that in England towards the end in the ODI series. They showed it right through in India and then carried it into the Test series in Australia and the World Cup. That is why I keep saying people talk about the seven out of eight wins in the World Cup, but the majority of the people who know their cricket, and cricketers I have met, they cast their mind back to the Test series in Australia. They say it has been a long time since they have seen any team going to Australia and competing in that fashion.
When you enter the dressing room now, what will your message be?
Cricket should be played as a unit where you go out there and look to dictate terms, where you take the game forward. It is only when you have two teams thinking in that fashion do you get brilliant cricket. In my era, it was West Indies, they always looked to win. Then came the Australians who are always doing that, always going at three-and-half to four runs per over and trying to win. New Zealand have shown that of late. And India showed it in Australia when they competed. That is why it was a fabulous Test series. A lot of people (might say) oh, "India lost 2-0". But if you go and ask any Australian, (they will say) those 19 days of Test cricket were worth watching again and again. So it is about being able to go there and give yourself a chance to dictate terms and think in that fashion.
Cricket should be played as a unit where you go out there and look to dictate terms, where you take the game forward. It is only when you have two teams thinking in that fashion do you get brilliant cricket. In my era, it was West Indies, they always looked to win. Then came the Australians who are always doing that, always going at three-and-half to four runs per over and trying to win. New Zealand have shown that of late. And India showed it in Australia when they competed. That is why it was a fabulous Test series. A lot of people (might say) oh, "India lost 2-0". But if you go and ask any Australian, (they will say) those 19 days of Test cricket were worth watching again and again. So it is about being able to go there and give yourself a chance to dictate terms and think in that fashion.
You talk so passionately about this team and heading the unit. What stops you from taking a long-term role?
I told you. One step at a time. I am not running away anywhere.
I told you. One step at a time. I am not running away anywhere.
The appointment must come as a positive step for you considering there has been a perception that you were close to the previous BCCI administration (under N Srinivasan)?
I have been with the BCCI for 35 years. What I am today is because of the BCCI and the opportunity and platform they gave me to play the game of cricket at a young age. During that period of time, including my broadcasting career, I might have gone through 10,12,13 (Board) presidents. Okay, let me tell you one thing: I am a guy with my own mind. And I am my own man. And I live for cricket. What people speculate and what the perceptions are, I have no right in stopping them from thinking or perceiving what they want. My job is to get out there and give my best for the game of cricket and, in particular, for the BCCI because they are my guardians. I don't make any bones about that. I don't care what the world thinks.
I have been with the BCCI for 35 years. What I am today is because of the BCCI and the opportunity and platform they gave me to play the game of cricket at a young age. During that period of time, including my broadcasting career, I might have gone through 10,12,13 (Board) presidents. Okay, let me tell you one thing: I am a guy with my own mind. And I am my own man. And I live for cricket. What people speculate and what the perceptions are, I have no right in stopping them from thinking or perceiving what they want. My job is to get out there and give my best for the game of cricket and, in particular, for the BCCI because they are my guardians. I don't make any bones about that. I don't care what the world thinks.
How will the three-man advisory committee appointed by the BCCI be handy going forward?
It will come in extremely handy because they will have plenty to offer. They are contemporary cricketers who have just finished the game and they have been around a long, long time where they have seen the game evolve and new formats have come into play. Their knowledge and experience will be very, very handy for the BCCI.
It will come in extremely handy because they will have plenty to offer. They are contemporary cricketers who have just finished the game and they have been around a long, long time where they have seen the game evolve and new formats have come into play. Their knowledge and experience will be very, very handy for the BCCI.
Is it correct to say the panel will not interfere with the coaching think-tank?
I would imagine their general brief would be to advise on what is the best way for Indian cricket and domestic cricket to go forward. If I were to be part of this panel, my endeavour would be to give inputs as to how BCCI cricket and Indian cricket teams at all levels - A team, Under-19, grassroots - can be taken forward.
I would imagine their general brief would be to advise on what is the best way for Indian cricket and domestic cricket to go forward. If I were to be part of this panel, my endeavour would be to give inputs as to how BCCI cricket and Indian cricket teams at all levels - A team, Under-19, grassroots - can be taken forward.
Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo