Ravi Shastri Makes Players Feel Welcome, Says Cheteshwar Pujara
Aug 22, 2017 at 2:57 PM
Cheteshwar Pujara has credited every individual’s contribution to Team India’s fine success in Test cricket over the past couple of years.
After some poor results between 2011 and 2014 where the team under MS Dhoni was whitewashed 4-0 in Australia and England, lost to England at home, lost series in Australia again as well as in New Zealand and South Africa, Team India under Virat Kohli has turned around its fortunes remarkably well in the longest format of the game.
The Kohli era began with a historic 2-1 series victory in Sri Lanka in 2015 before the team defeated South Africa 3-0 at home. It was followed by series wins against West Indies, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, Australia and Sri Lanka as Virat Kohli & Co. are reigning supreme in Test cricket. India have won eight consecutive series and are yet to lose one under Kohli.
“I think each member of the side has contributed to its success. If you look at our batting, each one has stood up and made themselves counted. At times when the top-order succeeds, we end up getting a total of around 400 on board. However, when the lower-middle order scores runs, that’s where we start to score in excess of 600. The difference between 400 and 600 is just huge. When you score 600, the opposition will always be under pressure even if they bat well to reach that total,” he told The Times of India.
Pujara also lauded the team’s formidable bench strength.
“Also, this Indian team’s bench strength is quite strong. Whoever has come into the XI has gone onto making a contribution. Players such as Kuldeep Yadav, Jayant Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Karun Nair and even Abhinav Mukund have all performed when given opportunities. Even our fast bowlers Umesh and Shami have been bowling well,” he said.
While the majority of the success over the last couple of season have come during former coach Anil Kumble’s one-year stay, new coach Ravi Shastri has also begun his spell with an impressive 3-0 series win in Sri Lanka.
When asked what news ideas have Shastri brought in the dressing room, Pujara said:
“Ravi bhai is someone who gives players enough freedom and at the same time knows what is needed for the players to be in the best possible shape ahead of any game. He makes players feel welcome and players understand their roles in the side.”