Ravi Shastri is perhaps the most successful Indian coach. He saw through a period when the Indian team if not struggling were searching for an aim. It will not be wrong to state the Shastri gave the team a purpose. He forged a triumphant partnership with the then Captain Virat Kohli. He left the coaching on a high by leading India to a 2-1 series lead against England. However, he has left a sour taste in the mouth of the Indians by his ranting in an interview with The Guardian. I will analyse in Ravi Shastri and his abuse of Indians.
It is highly unfortunate that Shastri spoke some utter nonsense during his interview. It makes me wonder whether he really thinks when he speaks. Is he always drunk because you will have to be more than just drunk to be blabbering? It is perfectly alright to blow your own trumpet. Afterall, India have twice won a series in Australia and is leading against England under his watch. Barring the exception of the South Africans under Graeme Smith, no other team can even come close to matching this feat. Hence, he is perfectly entitled to speak highly of himself. We know about him and this is what he does and we are fine with that.
Culture in the Indian team
He speaks about outlining the philosophy and the team culture and also about the need to maintain high fitness levels and produce a group of fast bowlers who are capable of taking 20 wickets outside the sub-continent so that the Indian team can not only win but win with conviction and make the team much feared by their opponents. Full credit to him and Kohli for bringing this culture in the team. Previously, when Indians struggled to bowl at full pace in the last session, now they are running in to bowl on all 5 days. This was a wonderful change.
He also had a lot of wisdom for Robert Key, the new England managing director for cricket
“Rob may have more work with the domestic game but, when it comes to the national team, it is very similar,” Shastri said. “The most important thing is getting among the players and setting a tone from the outset: what you believe in, what you think of them and changing the mindset to compete and win. Rob will have an adjustment period to understand the issues and will need to speak in detail with Joe Root for his experiences as Test captain. The adrenaline of captaincy – not that he needs it – could fire Stokes up to be something even more than the incredible player he is now. The important relationship is with the captain – the moment there is friction, things go downhill.
“But they will be fine because the England I saw last year, they have enough talent and skill to compete. There’s no doubt about that in my mind. It’s all about their mindset.”
So far so good. Shastri is a successful coach and it is better for England in general and Key in particular to listen to what he says but where he loses the plot is when he abused the Indians and the nation.
He abused Indians in general
“I didn’t have coaching badges [either]. Level one? Level two? f*** that,” Shastri said. “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.
Now, he says that Indians are jealous and would want to see him fail. How pathetic is this statement? It is downright ridiculous. Does he think that jealousy is an Indian trait? Does he think that the rest of the world is full of admiring souls? He must understand that being jealous of someone is a human trait. It does not matter whether someone is an Indian or a British or an American, jealousy is something that is inherent in this world. Who is to say that Shastri himself was not jealous of Anil Kumble when the later pipped him for the post of the Indian team coach?
Perhaps, Shastri is not aware of what is happening in other sports. He better watch the documentary film Athlete A on Netflix. It showcases how several girls were molested repeatedly by a doctor who was responsible for ensuring their fitness. The film broadcasted the toxic culture inside the USA Gymnastics and also how they covered up all of the doctor’s deviousness despite multiple complaints against him.
Jealousy when compared to such acts is like a needle in a haystack.
The improper cuss words
Another disgusting aspect of that interview is the number of cuss words he used. Here is the former Indian coach from a country that values tradition and that is not used to using cuss words in public, cursing so freely in an interview. There are so many children who will be reading his interview and it is disturbing to see such words. He must know better. I hope that the next time he is interviewed, he does well. He faltered when he must have been magnanimous.
Conclusion to Ravi Shastri and his abuse of Indians
Shastri is a straight talker. He just calls it as he sees it. He doesn’t mind calling a spade a spade. However, he must not have termed the Indians are being jealous of him because of his position as the Indian team coach. Anyone worth the salt will want to be the coach. There is no doubt in that but to call that jealousy is quite cheap. The interview was probably around what can Robert Key do to improve the condition of the English cricket team but it seems like Shastri was determined to turn up around and make it all about himself. Hopefully, he will change his mind in the future.
What do you think of Shastri’s outburst? Do you think he was alright or do you think he was over the top? Let me know in the comments section.
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