Indian Coach Ravi "The Cheerleader" Shastri Performance Watch

[sensible-indian-fan]

An excellent motivational guru.

A cheerleader par excellence.

Possesses a confident booming voice that inspires his men to overcome their fears, fight their self doubts, attain internal & external mastery and go on to conquer the world.

Folks, welcome the great Raviiiiiiiiiiii Shastriiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

I hear some murmurs about strategy, tactics and planning?

Yo mad bro?

We ain't need no stinking strategies, tactics & planning.

We just have to go out there and express ourselves, play fearless cricket and show the world what we are TRULY capable of.

And if situation were ever to come where people start questioning us, we just have to remember that they are jealous of us and greatness inspires jealousy. We should not be angry at them, instead feel pity for them.

Screw that noise.

Put on your headphones.

Blast awe-inspiring music at full volume.

Let's go to SA to make some history.

[Proactive_]

You forgot to mention the AGGRESSION. You hear me? AGGRESSION.

[DRsohail]

I don't know what special is there in him that India is sticking with him.

[kaayal]

Indian coaching job is just free money. There is batting coach, bowling coach and fielding coach for each departments. I don't know for what this guy is for?

[cricketjoshila]

Cheerleader and his team of Bangar,Bharat Arun and R Sridhar.

[cricketjoshila]

He is the worst thing to happen to Indian cricket.

[GoUgandaCranes]

He is the worst thing to happen to Indian cricket.

Looking at him from a distance, I don't understand this. Would you be kind enough to elaborate on the point?

[troodon]

Shastri is just making free money. I doubt he has a strategy. He is a good motivator and that’s about it I feel.

The next 1 year will decide his future. If India fails miserably, then his position may not be safe.

[Madplayer]

I hear some murmurs about strategy, tactics and planning?

Yo mad bro?

We ain't need no stinking strategies, tactics & planning.

His strategies are like tracer bullets. Our senses are too limited to understand or see them.

[Proactive_]

Shastri is just making free money. I doubt he has a strategy. He is a good motivator and that’s about it I feel.

The next 1 year will decide his future. If India fails miserably, then his position may not be safe.

His position is safe as long as Kohli is the captain.

[WhenSultansBowled]

hahaha nice thread title SIF!

I am still wondering if the OP is sarcastic or for real XD

[Cryin Out Loud]

Tracer bullets all round.

[CricFan2012]

Need some explanation as to why Shastri is a pointless coach.

[KyoOne]

Need some explanation as to why Shastri is a pointless coach.

Because he lost them 1 game

[BunnyRabbit]

Shastri is just making free money. I doubt he has a strategy. He is a good motivator and that’s about it I feel.

The next 1 year will decide his future. If India fails miserably, then his position may not be safe.

Doubt he will fail "miserably". India has a lot of big players and some guys at their peak, they might fail, but won''t be streamrolled and Shastri will get the credit. I like Kohli, but not Shastri, sounds pretty arrogant.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Doubt he will fail "miserably". India has a lot of big players and some guys at their peak, they might fail, but won''t be streamrolled and Shastri will get the credit. I like Kohli, but not Shastri, sounds pretty arrogant.

[dani2k]

Shastri as a player was thought to be one of the finest thinkers of the game and when he captained a test match in 1987 (the Madras test match against Windies that Hirwani debuted) he was praised for his tactics.

When captaincy bye passed him and went to Azhar instead Some pundits were of the opinion that he was the "Best captain that India never had". So he must have something on the tactical front or must have done something right.

Let us give him some time now that India is starting their away matches, he needs it.

[the Great Khan]

err sorry chaps but whats the problem? are you all acting like our typical pakistan fan ppers now? lose one match and sack the coach? cmon..

whats the problem? he seems to be doing a good job, your winning, you've hit the top of the rankings, why the problem?

[Benchwarmer]

Smash 'em boys!!

[R0H1T]

His position is safe as long as Kohli is the captain.

Yeah let's be fair ~ they i.e. the team, wanted him especially Virat.

[CricFan2012]

err sorry chaps but whats the problem? are you all acting like our typical pakistan fan ppers now? lose one match and sack the coach? cmon..

whats the problem? he seems to be doing a good job, your winning, you've hit the top of the rankings, why the problem?

Looks like this because no one here has been able to give a solid reason as to why Shastri is useless as a coach.

[giri26]

Ravi Shastri is not a coach. He is just a yes man to Kohli. Whatever works for the team. I just feel that he has no authority.

[CricketAnalyst]

Ravi Shastri is not a coach. He is just a yes man to Kohli. Whatever works for the team. I just feel that he has no authority.

If authority means needlessly ordering players around and behaving like a school-master it's good that he doesn't.

And while Kohli has exercised a lot more power than the average captain, I don't think he's exercised it badly or made wrong or unfair decisions.

Even the juniors he is supporting like Chahal etc are doing extremely well.

I think a lot of people are missing the point. The idea is that India should win. Not that somebody exercise discipline over Kohli and 'superstar culture'. If 'super-star culture' gives us a winning team, then it's fine. India's record since Shastri took over has been exemplary, so we can't complain.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Who said he is useless?

His cricketing insights in the commentary box have always been legendary. I learn something new whenever I hear him.

Plus he has a great win-loss record with the team which is all that matters.

Rest are excuses.

[giri26]

If authority means needlessly ordering players around and behaving like a school-master it's good that he doesn't.

And while Kohli has exercised a lot more power than the average captain, I don't think he's exercised it badly or made wrong or unfair decisions.

Even the juniors he is supporting like Chahal etc are doing extremely well.

I think a lot of people are missing the point. The idea is that India should win. Not that somebody exercise discipline over Kohli and 'superstar culture'. If 'super-star culture' gives us a winning team, then it's fine. India's record since Shastri took over has been exemplary, so we can't complain.

I am sorry Kohli hasn't made good decisions. He has made some poor selections over the past year or so like dropping KL Rahul completely from the limited overs team. By the looks of it KL Rahul will not be the first choice opener in tests as well. Authority does not mean ordering players around, it means the power to make any decisions concerning the team. I don't think Ravi Shastri has the authority to make any sort of call regarding the team. He just is a person who is there to manage team like how a manager does with any international team. He isn't in technical terms a coach.

[ManFan]

I would take him over Ramiz over any day. Just my preference.

[Sam99]

His position is safe as long as Kohli is the captain.

Kohli can kick selectors, bcci chairman or even ceo of icc to make shastri coach of india.

[Lefthanded]

Want India to win at least Tests competitively, because I'm a fan.

It helps that if India keeps winning, Shastri will be out of the commentary box for a longer period.

[big_gamer007]

Tbf most of the coaches would have made India rank 1 in tests and win series in India.. It does not require much strategy, planning for India to win in India.. The real tests start now for Shastri if we can win or draw series in SA and win in England he will go down as a fine top notch coach.. Probably the best India has had and Kohli will go down as GOAT..

If not then they won’t be remembered as fondly as they could have been..

[Savak]

If Kohli likes him and demanded he be reappointed in place of Kumble who came through a proper process then that really tells everything. Right now everything Kohli wants will be given to him just like whatever Dhoni wanted was given to him. Best time to be an Indian Cricketer.

[Oligochaetes]

What a comeback by Shastri... Rally inspired the boys. Openers are doing much better after Shastri's speech. Really terrific performance. He has ensued Virat Kohli can relax at him honeymoon

[Markhor]

Might give Mohsin "I beat England 3-0" Khan a run for his money if one considers being a coach as cheerleading and sipping tea.

[jazbati]

This is exactly what is required from a coach. Motivate them and let them do their thing unlike Waqar you wanted to become their dad by interfering in everything.

[JattMaula]

What a comeback by Shastri... Rally inspired the boys. Openers are doing much better after Shastri's speech. Really terrific performance. He has ensued Virat Kohli can relax at him honeymoon

What a comeback by tracer bullet. A double century and almost 400 total.

[King Kong]

He is the best coach we have had after GK. Batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach are enough to get into technicalities of our players. Need a coach who motivates players when they are down. Ravi is one for that.

[WengerOut]

Ravi is the watchdog of Indian team family head Virat. If anybody tries to attack the team , he barks and drives them away . And the family head can safely rule while the dog is sitting and crediting himself for saving the world.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Proving doubters wrong day in and day out.

Ravi Maestri after yesterday's game:

[CricFan2012]

Excellent coach

[troodon]

Ravi Shastri sitting in the dug out like a boss.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Ravi Shastri sitting in the dug out like a boss.

We went out there, played fearless cricket, expressed ourselves and showed the world what we are truly capable of.

Must be a proud coach.

[troodon]

We went out there, played fearless cricket, expressed ourselves and showed the world what we are truly capable of.

Must be a proud coach.

He is getting the job done well so far. No one can question the results.

Of course, his position will be questioned if we start performing bad in away tours. Until then, he is the man.

[sensible-indian-fan]

He is getting the job done well so far. No one can question the results.

Of course, his position will be questioned if we start performing bad in away tours. Until then, he is the man.

Why overseas?

As if other teams do well overseas. All are home bullies only.

As long as he has a good win-loss record, we should be happy.

[troodon]

Why overseas?

As if other teams do well overseas. All are home bullies only.

As long as he has a good win-loss record, we should be happy.

Our media and fans demand more from the Indian team. If India gets destroyed in SA, the Ravi Shastri will be tremendous pressure.

Having a good win/los record was the theme of Indian team in 90's where having a winning percentage of 50% was considered an achievement. Now a days, it should be over 60% and in between winning some ICC tournaments. Media scrutiny will be there. Nobody can escape including the coach.

[IgnitedMind]

He has had a successful career at the highest level of cricket, playing over 80 tests for India. He might not be a tactical genius...but I am sure he has good knowledge to share from his experience and technical knowledge of the game. Dont go by the commentary, commentators try to appeal to the lowest common denominator..and some appeal to the hardcore fans....it does not mean the former has any cricket knowledge over the later.

[sensible-indian-fan]

'Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay Will Open in South Africa,' Reveals Ravi Shastri to CNN-News18

Q: Let’s talk about batting specifically and the choice of openers. What is your thought process going into the series against South Africa? There is KL Rahul, Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan and they bring different sets of skills to the table. What are your plans when it comes to the opening combination?

You look at experience, you look at variety so that’s what Shikhar brings in, a left hand, right hand combination so he is a must. He has got lots of runs. Vijay the most experienced and a very good record overseas and he brings solidity. Young Rahul is immensely talented and he will get his opportunity at some stage. He might have to wait for a while but he will get his opportunity think he was the most improved player in the last 18 months. it’s just unfortunate that he didn’t convert those 60s into 150s but he will learn.

http://www.news18.com/cricketnext/ne...8-1606273.html

Wonderful move by cheerleader.

We need explosiveness, aggression and a fearless attitude.

KL Rahul should develop that first before learning how to play seam, swing and bounce.

I am sure Dhawan is raring to go and take on Saffer pacers.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Credit given where it's due.

Kohli must be praised too.

[WengerOut]

'Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay Will Open in South Africa,' Reveals Ravi Shastri to CNN-News18



http://www.news18.com/cricketnext/ne...8-1606273.html

Wonderful move by cheerleader.

We need explosiveness, aggression and a fearless attitude.

KL Rahul should develop that first before learning how to play seam, swing and bounce.

I am sure Dhawan is raring to go and take on Saffer pacers.

Chill mate. Dhawan will be back in the pavilion like a TRACER BULLET in the first test and we will be back to Rahul.

[R0H1T]

You look at experience, you look at variety so that’s what Shikhar brings in, a left hand, right hand combination so he is a must.

It is not, did no one tell this guy about Sutcliffe & Hobbs or Haynes/Greenidge, Hayden/Langer

I guess no one told the human PR/loudspeaker that his knowledge of the game is lacking, bigly!

[sensible-indian-fan]

Chill mate. Dhawan will be back in the pavilion like a TRACER BULLET in the first test and we will be back to Rahul.

Don't be negative ok.

Have a positive attitude.

We are not risking losing the first test because Dhawan can't play swing or quality bowling.

I think he will survive the first session or two and take Saffer pacers to the cleaners. I hope Dhawan is dropped atleast once cos when he is dropped, he plays a match winning innings.

[WengerOut]

Don't be negative ok.

Have a positive attitude.

We are not risking losing the first test because Dhawan can't play swing or quality bowling.

I think he will survive the first session or two and take Saffer pacers to the cleaners. I hope Dhawan is dropped atleast once cos when he is dropped, he plays a match winning innings.

Or rename the series as something like 'ICC trophy'

[sensible-indian-fan]

It is not, did no one tell this gut about Sutcliffe & Hobbs or Haynes/Greenidge, Hayden/Langer

I guess no one told the human PR/loudspeaker that his knowledge of the game is lacking, bigly!

You can't argue with his results.

He has a great win-loss record.

Results are all that matters.

KL Rahul should learn how to score 150s on rank turners against quality Australian bowling like Dhawan scored 150s and 200s against SL on flatties.

Let's not dive into details.

Winners focus on results.

Others focus on excuses.

[WengerOut]

@sensible-indian-fan Gonna be a field day for you come January :-)

[sensible-indian-fan]

@sensible-indian-fan Gonna be a field day for you come January :-)

No it's gonna be a field day for Shastri and all Indian fans as Shastri is going to be the first coach in Asian history to oversee a Saffer series win.

We have a good team this time (some chinks but core is good) but what makes us invincible is Shastri's ability to INSPIRE his men and make them go to the next level.



Getting goosebumps already.....

[WengerOut]

Has he got Bharat Ratna yet ? If not , he might be in line.

[Abdullah719]

Young is gold. Apologies for couple of inches on the midriff. Yo Yo need of the hour ������������ pic.twitter.com/ODzGRUPhG1

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) December 22, 2017

[RamLakhan]

Remember Kumble made sure that we won that last Test Match against Australia in Dharmashala by selecting Kuldeep over a batsman. So this (Shastri as coach) could dilute the intensity on this crucial tour! The only bright aspect this time is that we have a pretty good overall team (South Africa should help us by not playing up to their potential!)

[austerlitz]

Dhawan will fail miserably and they will have to play rahul anyway.

[EliteCynical]

I think the OP has gone a bit OTT with Ravi. Yes, he has a reputation to suck up to BCCI, but if Kohli finds him good to work with, then he definitely has some good qualities. India and Kohli probably did not like an authoritarian micro manager like Kumble and Shastri has given the players more freedom to express themselves probably.

Heck, South Africa used him as a motivational speaker before an Aus series in early 2000s.

Check out his recent interview which i thought was really decent where he does not go OTT and keeps it simple.

2 things to come out of this interview are
1. Dhawan and Vijay will open in SA
2. Pandya would be the fifth bowler.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxDJlRYRgIg

[EliteCynical]

Dhawan will fail miserably and they will have to play rahul anyway.

Why do you say so? He almost won India a game in NZ against Southee and Boult with a hundred in second innings. India lost by 40 odd runs. May be they are right in giving him a chance, who knows he may click.

[Savage]

Why do you say so? He almost won India a game in NZ against Southee and Boult with a hundred in second innings. India lost by 40 odd runs. May be they are right in giving him a chance, who knows he may click.

Yes Dhawan was best indian batsmen in NZ.Kholi inflated his average from 30s to 70s by scoring meaningless quick 100 on last session of series when only result possible was draw at that time.He was also lucky because he was given not-out by umpire as his catch(thick edge of left arm bowler) was taken by wicketkeeper.

[EliteCynical]

Yes Dhawan was best indian batsmen in NZ.Kholi inflated his average from 30s to 70s by scoring meaningless quick 100 on last session of series when only result possible was draw at that time.He was also lucky because he was given not-out by umpire as his catch(thick edge of left arm bowler) was taken by wicketkeeper.

Nice to meet you too. Looks like you joined recently and that is a fairly quick ascension to being an admin! Also cannot help seeing your dislike for Kohli! You are obviously entitled to your opinion.

Personally, i think Kohli is a much better batsman than what he was in 2014 England, however still has some chinks. What i like about him, is that he is ready to work on those shortcomings. Give him a chance mate, before dismissing him!

[jnaveen1980]

He is a fan of his players. That is where the problem is. You have to be above that. It affects the judgment and also it becomes a conflict of interest. You will tend to give longer rope to players than they deserve because you are a fan of them. He deflects even genuine legitimate criticism of the players.

[JattMaula]

He is a fan of his players. That is where the problem is. You have to be above that. It affects the judgment and also it becomes a conflict of interest. You will tend to give longer rope to players than they deserve because you are a fan of them. He deflects even genuine legitimate criticism of the players.

At least he is honest about it.

[Savage]

Nice to meet you too. Looks like you joined recently and that is a fairly quick ascension to being an admin! Also cannot help seeing your dislike for Kohli! You are obviously entitled to your opinion.

Personally, i think Kohli is a much better batsman than what he was in 2014 England, however still has some chinks. What i like about him, is that he is ready to work on those shortcomings. Give him a chance mate, before dismissing him!

Bro! kohli is my favourite player (along with Dhoni) and desperately want him to do well in SA.I've always rated him above Root and williamson(in test) and never tried to insinuate that he is rubbish or anything less than quality batsmen.

[Savage]

He is a fan of his players. That is where the problem is. You have to be above that. It affects the judgment and also it becomes a conflict of interest. You will tend to give longer rope to players than they deserve because you are a fan of them. He deflects even genuine legitimate criticism of the players.

Is it completely foolish to suggest "Pujara has proven to be more valuable than Kohli so far" or "He inflated his avg in NZ" or"He performed badly in England"?.As a Moderator/Admin I've seen a lot Worse criticism of other players.

[EliteCynical]

Bro! kohli is my favourite player (along with Dhoni) and desperately want him to do well in SA.I've always rated him above Root and williamson(in test) and never tried to insinuate that he is rubbish or anything less than quality batsmen.

Ok, my bad. I apologize for judging incorrectly. Yes, a real fan would accept his shortcomings and i think we both are more or less the same then! Cheers.

[sensible-indian-fan]

Yes, Dhawan averages 29 outside Asia including WI (25 excluding NZ, 22 excluding WI).

Yes, Dhawan is not good against swing and seam.

Yes, Dhawan could potentially fail.

But Dhawan has something which batsmen from other teams don't have.

What's that?

A legendary COACH.

A coach who can help him overcome his mental demons.

A coach who can help him use the power of mind to overcome technical deficiencies.

A coach who can help him withstand the storm and then rain upon his opponents with arrows that BLOT out the sun.



Ultimately, he has a coach who can change him as a man from within.

A man who is ready for the challenge.

A man who is ready to win.

A man who is a CHAMPION.

[sensible-indian-fan]

He showed the team how to fight and give it back in SA.

Just forgot to motivate our batting lineup (especially dashers Dhawan and Rohit).

[hafeezrocks]

Gets paid to motivate the players.

[Varun]

Defenders of Rohit Sharma, your time has come...

[sensible-indian-fan]

Proving doubters wrong day in and day out.

Ravi Maestri after yesterday's game:

Cmon Shastri.

One more speech like this.

We need to fight like TIGERS tomorrow.

[Chief Destroyer]

Shastri owning all his haters. Kohli and Ravi combo is deadly.

[jnaveen1980]

Shastri owning all his haters. Kohli and Ravi combo is deadly.

You mean Kohli and wrist spinners combo? lol

[waleed88]

Half of the coach's job is to motivate. That's what I feel. If he is doing that well then he is doing what he is supposed to do.

Evidence was Mickey Arthur talking about the mental side of the game after the defeat to India in the first group game in CT

[Abdullah719]

The thread's title fits.

[Mp812]

I felt Anil Kimble was better but Anil needed to develop this skill shashtri has.

[Madplayer]

The thread's title fits.

What an incredibly rude thing to say to someone! No matter the context. This guy is really a piece.

[JustNotAFanOfThings]

Anil Kumble treated players like they are kids. This is not a junior level. He's more suited for that level where you actually need someone to mould a player.

Every player worth his salt who played at the highest level always tells the same thing - at that level it's more mental side of things that needs to be taken care of.

Kumble seems to have acted in polar opposite of that.

[Last Monetarist]

There's a lot of squalid snobbery about the qualities that Shastri brings to the Indian team. My view on the effect of coaches at the highest level is in line with what Ian Chappell preaches; it's minimal. You need a strong captain to bring out the best in your players and it's the role of the backroom staff to foster the best possible environment for the team to succeed.

Coaches with ideas above their station who try and impose their authority on the captain invariably fail: Javed Miandad, Greg Chappell, Waqar Younis and Anil Kumble. En fait, it even happened with Andy Flower and Alastair Cook. It happens in other sports as well; the cliched 'loosing the dressing room' scenario in football. There is a breakdown of trust which creates a poisonous atmosphere and the players down tools as they don't really care about the people they are working with.

Shastri has shown to be a great motivator. He has always been able to talk a good game, often to the point of coming across as a snake oil salesman due to the faux enthusiasm. This has detracted from what those that played with him always asserted, in that he had a great tactical mind and was one of those players that would have made a great captain in other circumstances. He is unashamedly political, which is what rubs people the wrong way, but in the modern era a coach that can't play the system is ill-equiped to succeed.

[sensible-indian-fan]

We are hurting.

We are humiliated.

We lost despite having the talent to beat England in England.

But this is not the end.

Test cricket is best cricket and a series win there overshadows everything.

If there's one man who can turn it around for the Indian team, it's Shastri.

Fasten your seatbelts, folks.

Because Shastri is gonna come back ROARING and so will Team India.