Veteran fast-bowler Ishant Sharma has revealed former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri’s unique coaching methods. The former India allrounder enjoyed two back-to-back stints with Team India as their head coach before stepping down from the post following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in 2021.
He replaced Anil Kumble as the head coach in 2017. A couple of years later, the BCCI re-appointed him as the head coach of the team. He formed a strong bond with former captain Virat Kohli and the duo helped Team India achieve great heights across formats.
With Ravi Shastri as the coach, India scripted history by becoming the first Asian team to beat Australia in a Test series in their own backyard in 2018/19. They repeated the feat again in 2020/21 season. He also guided the team to the final of the inaugural World Test Championship and the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup.
Ishant Sharma on Ravi Shastri’s coaching methods:
Having played a good amount of cricket under Ravi Shastri’s coaching, Ishant Sharma has opened up on his coaching methods. The senior pacer has revealed that Shastri used to say things that hurt you, pinched you and drove you mad.
“Ravi bhai has had a lot of impact in our growth. The biggest was that he would always have positive things to say, even if we endured a poor match. Another one of his strengths is that he knows how to bring the best out of a player,” Ishan told Cricbuzz.
“Like with me, he knows that if he has to make me give by 100 percent, I need to get angry. So he would say things that hurt you, pinch you. It drove you mad,” Ishant added.
“He sensed what each player needed to hear and work things accordingly to channel that emotion. That’s how he used to deal with an individual. However, after the match was over, he would get back to being a totally different person. He said things like ‘Forget if you’ve had a bad match. Focus on the next game,” said Ishant.
Meanwhile, Ishant has fallen down the pecking order since Shastri’s departure as the head coach. He has not played a Test for Team India since November 2021. At present, he is gearing up for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to begin on March 31.
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