India's pace attack can be lethal in all conditions, says Ravi Shastri
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The newly appointed Indian coach suggested that India's pace battery has the capability to dismantle any batting lineup in any given conditions, which hand India an edge over their competitors in the longest format. Shastri also feels that Virat Kohli is yet to reach the peak of his career.
The Indian team always depended on their spinners when it came to bowling in any format of the game. But that picture has changed since the arrival of talented pacemen such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami. The Indian pacers have showcased their abilities to swing the ball both ways while generating great pace and have been successful both home and away.
Therefore, newly appointed Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri noted the potential they hold while suggesting that it provides an advantage to the Indian team particularly in the longest format of the game.
"This is a team you can travel with (anywhere). There is a battery of pacers which can do well in all conditions and take 20 wickets. Their age is such that they are playing at the right time,” India Today reported Shastri saying.
Virat Kohli, meanwhile, has led his side from the front and has been impeccable with the bat ever since taking on the responsibility of the captain, even scoring four double centuries in the process. The 28-year old has played numerous innings under pressure and has earned the tag of being a 'world-class batsman'.Â
However, Shastri believes he still has the capability to improve and the coming years will be the defining period in his career.
"Kohli is a champion cricketer, he has not yet reached his peak. The next five or six years will define the real Virat Kohli,”  the 55-year-old said.
But the newly appointed coach restricted himself from commenting on the respective futures of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, whose roles in the team have been questioned after the duo was seen struggling for form in the Windies as well as during the Champions Trophy.
“2019 (World Cup) is a long way to go. They are both champion cricketers. We will deal with it when the time arrives. I am just getting into the dressing room again, so I need to spend time with the captain (Kohli) and take things forward,” he said.
Shastri took on the post vacated by Anil Kumble on July 11th after earlier managing the team as the director from 2014 to 2016. The former Indian opener will have to work hard to better Kumble's record as the coach who led Indian to series wins against West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England.
The former all-rounder will start his two-year tenure with the team when India tours Sri Lanka in July followed by tours to South Africa, Australia, and England before the team competes in the 2019 World Cup.Â
