5 TIMES RAVI SHASTRI PROVED HE WAS PERFECT MANAGER MATERIAL
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His strategy to attack in white-ball cricket by playing leg-spinners
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Ravi Shastri replaced Anil Kumble as India's head coach after the 2017 Champions Trophy. India had not been so consistent in ODIs in the couple of years before the Champions Trophy. He decided to include 2 leg-spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal in the team.
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The decision proved to be a masterstroke as India started dominating in white-ball cricket. The Kul-Cha combo kept picking up wickets at regular intervals in the middle overs. Soon after, India recorded series wins against West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
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Ravi Shastri supported and motivated Mohammed Siraj after his father's death
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Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj's rise to the top has made every cricket fan happy. Unfortunately, the right-arm fast bowler lost his father when he was in Australia with the Indian team. Instead of returning home, Siraj made the big decision of staying with the Indian squad.
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The team management handed him his maiden Test cap ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Siraj emerged as a hero for the visitors, taking five wickets. In a recent interview with ABP News, Siraj revealed how head coach Ravi Shastri played an important role in his success.
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Ravi Shastri backed Rishabh Pant when the youngster faced criticism
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Rishabh Pant has become India's No.1 wicket-keeper in the Test format. However, before his recent exploits, in the second half of 2019, Pant struggled to perform well. The southpaw could not score big with the bat and disappointed with his glovework on few occasions.
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Pant even lost his place within the Indian team after some inconsistent displays. Nevertheless, Ravi Shastri knew Rishabh's potential and backed him in the media. Had Pant not received so much backing from management, he might not have reached the level he is currently at.
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Asked net bowler Washington Sundar to practice batting in Australia
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During the same tour, India lost many players due to injuries. It opened up the chance for Kuldeep Yadav to play in the fourth Test. However, keeping the Australian conditions in mind, the Indian team management, headed by Ravi Shastri, decided to keep Yadav on the bench.
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Instead, they gave net bowler Washington Sundar a place in the playing XI. Sundar scored 84 runs and took 3 wickets for the team. One of the main reasons behind his success was that the Indian team management asked him to work on his batting in the nets, which he did every day for half an hour.
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Ravi Shastri asked Indian players to wear 36 like a badge on their sleeves
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India recorded their lowest total in Test cricket history in the day/night Test against Australia last year. The visitors managed only 36 runs in their second innings at Adelaide. With Virat Kohli set to take paternal leave after that Test, fans were unsure if India could avoid a series defeat.
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However, India showed great character and won the series 2-1. After the series, fielding coach R Sridhar revealed that Ravi Shastri gathered the Indian squad after the first Test and said: "Wear this 36 like a badge on your sleeves and you will be a great team." This motivated India to fight back.
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