Once play starts, it’s up to the boys, says Shastri

Colombo, July 20

Soon after arriving in Sri Lanka for the Test series, Ravi Shastri, the Indian team coach, had the opportunity to do what he does best — he provided a public pep talk to the Indian team, for the second day running.

“They know their job, they are professional cricketers,” he said, playing down the role of the coach, at the pre-tour press briefing here. “Once they step on the field they take over. That is how it should be.”

“My role will be to get the guys in a frame of mind that they get out and express themselves and play fearless brand of cricket,” he added.

A couple of days ago, Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opener, had praised Shastri’s communication skills. “I have done commentary with him and I know that he is a strong communicator, which is critical for the coach’s role,” Hayden had said, among other things.

Today, while building up his own team, Shastri took care to do a bit of building up of the Sri Lankan team, too. Sri Lanka recently lost an ODI series to Zimbabwe and won the one-off Test against them after a struggle. 

“Their track record playing at home is as good as any other team,” Shastri said, kindly overlooking Sri Lanka’s recent struggles. “We would look to improve in the series. Else there is no point playing. You have to try and raise the bar whenever you play.”

Shastri also fondly remembered his first trip to Sri Lanka as an 18-year-old, which was also his first visit to a foreign country. “The first stamp on my passport was that of Sri Lanka. I came for the first time as an 18-year-old,” he said. “Then first stint as a broadcaster in Sri Lanka in 1994. Now first stint as coach happens to here. I have lot of fond memories.”

‘Not taking them lightly’

Kohli also insisted that Sri Lanka cannot be taken lightly. “Not at all. I remember we came here two years back after tour of Australia, we were six or seven in the rankings,” he said. “That particular series in Sri Lanka gave us belief. It taught us to come together as a team. Everyone in the team knows this is where it all started after losing the first Test in Galle. It was a dent for us.”

“The way we came together in the last tour is iconic for us,” added Kohli, referring to the 2-1 win in the 2015 series, his first as full-time captain.

“We know we have to work very hard. You have to respect the game. You have to be professional,” said Kohli when asked what it takes to be the No. 1 Test side.  — TNS, PTI