I’m a huge guy when it comes to work ethics, says Ravi Shastri

India have been flawless in their display this year. Barring the Champions Trophy final loss to Pakistan, the Men in Blue have been at their peak form with hardly any player experiencing a lean patch. And it wouldn’t be unfair to shed some credit on new coach Ravi Shastri for the late results.

Following Anil Kumble’s abrupt step down from the post of head coach, Virat Kohli had reportedly suggested his name to the board. Kumble’s strict training regime and approach to the game, though fetched results, wasn’t quite appreciated by the players. Shastri, on the other hand, has kept things simple and the results have improved for sure.

Replying to BCCI.tv, on what makes him desirable among the team members, Shastri said, “I wouldn’t say that I am the most desired coach. That is for the players to say. All I’ll say is that I like to keep things simple. I am a big switch on and switch off person. I’m a huge guy when it comes to work ethics and values.”

“As far as the team is concerned, the trust factor that exists in the dressing room, the camaraderie between the players and the support staff, like Virat has mentioned, there is no senior or junior in the team because everyone’s a team player and everyone has to contribute,” he added.

Revealing his approach to efficiently maintain such a star-studded team, Shastri said he likes to keep it simple and real that helps the team know what to expect from the boss. “For me - what you see is what you’ll get. I always like to call a spade a spade and people who have played with me know me fully well.”

India have been impeccable in their game since Shastri took charge. They haven’t lost a single game in Sri Lanka in the past two months and after whitewashing the hosts in the Test series, are dangerously close to clean sweep the ODI series too.

Shastri credits the results to the well-seasoned team he has inherited. He said, “The good thing with this team is, I’ve spent 18 months with them as the Director of the team when they were actually evolving. When I took over in England with the same support staff, it was a different team. Today it is a much more seasoned team. The guys have grown in the past two and a half years and it is for everyone to see when they play out in the middle."

Shastri further reiterated the fact that the captain is the real boss of the team.

"The Captain will always be the boss of the team. I have under me a fantastic support staff who’ve been with me right from day one when I became the Director of the team and today I’m the Head Coach of the team. And there is a certain element of bonding and trust when it comes to the players dealing with the support staff and our job is making them feel relaxed and make them feel that they are in a great mental space."