In a move that can prove either detrimental or change the fortunes as far as Team India is concerned, the cricketing head in India, BCCI appointed former India captain Ravi Shastri as the Team Director.
In a move that can prove either detrimental or change the fortunes as far as Team India is concerned, the cricketing head in India, BCCI appointed former India captain Ravi Shastri as the Team Director.
Though the supreme cricketing body has cracked a whip on the likes of Duncan Fletcher, it appears to have sidelined bowling coach Joe Dawes and fielding coach Trevor Penny for the upcoming one-day series.
Furthermore, seeing India’s disastrous performance in the Test series, the BCCI also appointed former players Sanjay Bangar and Bharat Arun as assistant coaches while R Sridhar will take over as the fielding coach in a new revamped Indian team management.
Can Ravi Shastri really improve this young Indian side who has failed miserably in the Tests against England? This is not the first time that Shastri has been handed over the reins in the Indian management. After a disastrous 2007 World Cup outing in the West Indies, the former India all-rounder was appointed as a ‘Cricket Manager’ for the tour of Bangladesh after Greg Chappell was given the axe. Too little too late from the BCCI but Shastri’s appointment can strike a chord with MS Dhoni’s side, here’s why:
1 – Help out the openers
With the Test nightmare behind them, the ODIs present a good opportunity for this young Indian side to start afresh. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who are the current ODI openers, struggled in Test matches. Their batting technique needs a rechecking and that’s why Ravi Shastri could work wonders with the duo. The all-rounder could help them in changing the technicalities as well as stance at the crease.
2 – Virat Kohli can benefit
Everybody knows what Virat Kohli is going through – a lean patch! But it takes a single inning to get back into the groove and with Ravi Shastri in the mix; the Indian fans can surely get the delight of watching their old ‘Chiku’ back amongst the runs.
3 – R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja can see turnaround in fortunes
The Indian spin department did not have the best of days during the Tests whereas a part-time spinner Moeen Ali grabbed the limelight as he wrecked through the Indian batsmen. Ashwin and Jadeja can share a tip or two from Ravi Shastri, who has the experience of playing in England. The former player turned commentator has played over 150 ODIs and scalped 129 wickets.
4 – MS Dhoni can get his ‘mojo’ back
Ravi Shastri is known, these days, for his outspokenness on air as the former cricketer plys trade with the many cricketing channels. Duncan Fletcher may not have shown his extrovert persona but Shastri could really use his high-decibel commentary skills in uplifting the morale of MS Dhoni.
5 – Slip fielding needs a rehash!
The Indian slip cordon was like rat holes as they slipped out catches during the Tests. India who has one of the best fielders in the world of cricket, need to work out their fielding basics and who better than Ravi Shastri to work on it.
6 – Hunger to win
This team lacks the passion and desire to win overseas especially after the drubbing in the Tests. MS Dhoni has lost the Test series and ODIs in consecutive fashion against South Africa and New Zealand but Shastri can turn the tide here, if the players put up a fight!
7 – Bowlers need to man up!
James Anderson has intimidated the Indian batsmen and thus the latter have fallen prey to the English pacer. The Indian bowlers lack the drive but Ravi Shastri, who is known to voice his opinions, might just that ‘cheeky’ attitude amongst the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami.
Thus with the incoming of Ravi Shastri, Team India could surely benefit of his presence in the dressing room and so do the cricketing field.
