There’s a gang of people wanting me to get failed, says Ravi Shastri: Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has recently opened up on the challenges of being a head coach of a national side. Shastri said that in a country like India, there are always people who get jealous of you and want you to fall on the face.
Shastri also shared his opinions on Rob Key’s role, who has been appointed England Men’s Cricket’s Managing Director. The veteran coach reckons Rob Key will soon understand the need of having a thick skin as he slowly gets in the groove.
Ravi Shastri remained team India’s head coach for a period of six years before his tenure expired and has undergone several ups and downs in the journey. He was replaced by former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, who is currently at the helm of the Indian coaching staff.
Explaining how he dealt with the criticism and outside noise, Shastri said he had developed a real thick skin.
“And in a country like India, there is always jealousy or a gang of people willing you to fail. I had a thick skin, thicker than the leather of the Dukes ball you use. A real solid hide. And you need a bloody hide over here,” said Ravi Shastri in an interview with the Guardian.
“Rob [Key] will develop this as he does the job, because every day you are judged. And I am glad he has a lot of captaincy experience from his time at Kent, because communication with the players is absolutely paramount,” Shastri added.
The former Indian cricketer added that all the national teams across the world operate in a similar fashion, but Rob may have to deal more with the domestic games.
“Rob may have more work with the domestic game but, when it comes to the national team, it is very similar. The most important thing is getting among the players and setting a tone from the outset.”
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Ravi Shastri’s clear message for team India against Australia:
Shastri also revealed his communication with team India as they went on to face the Australians in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21. Notably, team India retained the coveted Border Gavaskar Trophy by hammering the Aussies in their own backyard by 2-1 despite facing multiple injury setbacks.
“…it was also outlining how we want to play [in Australia]: to be aggressive and ruthless, to up the fitness levels, to get a group of fast bowlers to take 20 wickets overseas. And it was about attitude, especially when playing the Aussies. I told the boys if one single expletive comes your way, give them three back: two in our language and one in theirs,” Shastri said.
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