The boys have become men: Ravi Shastri
Indian cricket team director Ravi Shastri feels that the 'boys have become men' after India’s 3-0 Test series triumph against South Africa.He also praised Virat Kohli's development as the captain of the team and how he communicates and leads his teammates.
A lot has already been said and written about South African batsmen's inability to deal with spin bowling on Indian pitches after the Proteas' 0-3 defeat in the Freedom series. But on hindsight, notwithstanding the performance in the final Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Indian batsmen have struggled to score runs as well; it was just that their opponents were worse.
"The problem what we've had in the Indian team is that our boys don't play enough domestic cricket, and it is not their fault. The calendar is so packed. So, the footwork and the way they play spin bowling on turning tracks, that aspect needs massive improvement. That will come when you are exposed to these conditions," Shastri told Bcci.tv today.
"They have played overseas for the last two years and when they came home for this series, the conditions they have grown up in, were suddenly foreign to them. But it was an education," he added.
Shastri cited the example of Ajinkya Rahane, who scored two centuries in the final Test, saying, "Look at Ajinkya Rahane. The way he got out in the first Test - once defending and once playing an attacking shot. And you saw how he batted in the final Test in Delhi. He was sure in attack and defence, which is the name of the game."
The 53-year-old also praised Virat Kohli's captaincy, labeling him as a 'leader of men', who has now led India to two back-to-back Test series wins.
"December 9, 2014, the young man (Kohli) captained India in a Test match for the first time, in Adelaide. A year later I can say that he is now a leader of men. Virat is everywhere. He is hands on, and very communicative. That's what you want in a captain. There is trust between the players and the captain, and that is the most important thing," Shastri said.
When asked whether the series win against South Africa completed the transition process for the Indian team, Shastri responded that the "boys have become men."
"They have. And this comes out of respect for the South African team. They are the most consistent team in the world across all formats. Whatever conditions they play in, there are a damn good side, and they showed that in the ODIs and the T20Is. To have a record where you are unbeaten overseas for nine years is amazing. It compares with the West Indies team of my time and the Australian team at the turn of the century. For the boys to do what they have done against such a team, they should enjoy and cherish it. In a couple of weeks’ time they will realise they have done something special. This performance is not lesser than any team’s performance since the time cricket started in India, he said.
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