Ishant Sharma Lauds Outspoken Coach Who Transformed Indian Cricket


image-lenspcxqIshant Sharma is only the second Indian pacer to play 100 Tests (Source: Twitter)

Indian pace bowler Ishant Sharma has lauded the coaching style of former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, stating that the former all-rounder's words were capable of stirring strong emotions within players.

There was a huge wave of criticism surrounding Shastri’s appointment as India's head coach but the Indian stalwart remained an enigmatic figure throughout his tenure. Despite being the subject of ridicule for his outspoken nature and dubious statements, he proved to be a driving force in the team's success.

Teaming up with former captain Virat Kohli, Shastri transformed the Indian team into an unyielding force, renowned for their strong performances on the road, and assembled a pace battery that was second to none.

Under the Shastri-Kohli alliance, India's five-pronged pace attack, consisting of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishan Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav, emerged as the team's greatest strength abroad.

Shastri's deep, resonant voice and unwavering resolve consistently inspired players to push themselves to the limit, resulting in numerous victories. Recently, Ishant recounted how Shastri would take extra measures to motivate players, using his own idiosyncratic tactics to arouse and focus their aggression.

While speaking to Ishant acknowledged that Shastri's impact on his growth as a cricketer was significant, particularly in his ability to elicit the best performances from his team. According to the lank pacer, the former cricketer had a unique ability to motivate players by saying things that were hurtful, jarring, and maddening, noting that this approach was particularly effective for himself.

The fast bowler stated that the Indian veteran understood the importance of stoking his anger to elicit a hundred percent effort from him on the field. He added that the 1983 World Cup winner was adept at recognizing the unique needs of each player and tailoring his approach to suit them.

The coach could sense what each player needed to hear to spark them into action and utilized this knowledge to great effect, as per the bowler's observations.

Furthermore, the Delhi-born speedster revealed that Shastri was a master at providing encouragement to players, even after a poor performance. According to the seamer, the 60-year old often employed positive reinforcement, urging players to focus on the next game and forget about the previous one.

Shastri's tutelage had a significant impact on Ishant's career, as he became only the second Indian fast bowler after the legendary Kapil Dev to play 100 Test matches.