The 'Bubble' Has Done A World Of Good To Indian Cricket: Ravi Shastri
The chief coach of the Indian cricket team Ravi Shastri has praised the high morale of the dressing room in winning back to back Test series against Australia and England. Saying that the young team played eight Tests in a span of 75 days, Shastri lauded the players' ability to perform under tremendous pressure. Shastri said Rishabh Pant's growing maturity was an asset and Washington Sundar has been an expected find. Shastri said India deserved to play the World Test Championship final against New Zealand in June at Southampton despite facing tricky situation en route. (video and photos courtesy BCCI)
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00:00 You know, after this win, one thought that comes to mind very clearly is that there are at least three players available for each slot in the Indian team.
00:14 That is the kind of depth we are looking at. For instance, there is a wicketkeeper batsman right now who is a toast of the cricketing world.
00:20 And then again there are two over-midfielders whose potential is no doubt.
00:24 So, this is the healthiest problem of 20 that the Indian cricket has ever faced. Your thoughts on this?
00:30 I think very good question. And that's the most positive thing to come out of the bubble.
00:35 Because of the bubble, you had to go with enlarged squads. Normally, you would go with 17-18.
00:41 But because of the bubble and because of the quarantine laws that exist, you have to go with 25-35 in certain cases.
00:49 So, as a result of which, you had to dig deep and pick your best 30 players.
00:55 And as luck would have it, we were left with no choice but to play each 30 of them.
01:00 And you found out, you know, who is good and who is not good.
01:04 So, it's a good headache to have. It's something that's worked well.
01:09 You know, you would have never imagined the number of players that would have played for India, you know, 6 months ago.
01:15 You know, if you think Natarajan would have played a test match, no way. You would have said he would have played a test match.
01:20 Will Washington Sundar play a test match? No way. He would have played a test match.
01:24 But you know, these are things you would not imagine. But circumstances make it happen.
01:32 And I am glad the youngsters who got the opportunity, you know, have grabbed it with both hands.
01:37 Coming from your WTC final, the other side will begin soon after that.
01:44 From the experience of playing in the first cycle of WTC, what are the changes that you would love to see?
01:49 Or you think the WTC has made it relevant in terms of test match because there is a difference in the number of matches you each team plays.
01:57 What would you like to see in the WTC second cycle?
02:00 I am not even worried about the second cycle. I am thinking of the first cycle.
02:04 Yes, if you ask me the problems in the first cycle, please don't shift the goalposts midstream.
02:10 Okay. I am sitting at home in COVID, right, in the month of November or October.
02:17 You have got more points than any other team in the world. 360 at that time.
02:22 Suddenly, a week later, without playing cricket, there is some rule that comes that they are going to go on percentage system,
02:30 where you go from number 1 to number 3 in a week.
02:34 Fine. That is because of countries not wanting to travel to countries that are in the red zone or whatever.
02:43 All acceptable, you know, fine. Now, I want to understand the logic behind this because what is the way forward for me?
02:53 I have two tours left. Sitting on top of the table comfortably by leading by 60-70 points as opposed to any other team.
03:01 They say, no, you have to go to Australia. I say, okay. What have you to do in Australia? You have to beat Australia.
03:08 Yeah. Now, how many teams in 100 years or last 10 years have gone to Australia, you can say guarantee will beat Australia.
03:16 Now, the reason I am saying this is you are sitting on top of the table, 360.
03:21 Percentage system, you have to go to Australia to beat Australia.
03:27 If you don't beat Australia, you come back home and beat England 4-0, you get close to 500 points, you still don't qualify.
03:36 That is my experience. So, we have had to dig deep. We have had to go down every hole that's needed to find water.
03:47 We found it and we've earned our stripes to be in the final of the World Test Championship, the biggest trophy in the world with 520 points.
03:58 So, no more. Don't ask me about the next cycle. First address this cycle.
04:04 Ravi Bhai, good afternoon. Ravi Bhai, the team's catching from the second test onwards improved drastically.
04:12 I mean, a few catches were... a lot of catches were put down in Australia and in the past test also, a few went down.
04:18 Did you have a conversation with the team and also with the fielding coach?
04:23 Fielding coach is outstanding. I don't need to have any conversations.
04:27 And when you are in the bubble, you know, you must understand where this Indian team has come from.
04:32 We've been in a bubble for the last 5 months. We played 8 test matches in 75 days.
04:39 I, you know, in my time, probably we would play 8 test matches in a year.
04:44 The off-season, you might play 10 or 12 in a year. In 70 days, they played 8 test matches living in a bubble.
04:52 And opposition, England and Australia. So, you know, the mental strain, the mental fatigue is going to be hard.
04:59 So, you're going to drop catches. We were not the only team that dropped catches.
05:03 Australia dropped as many catches as us, if not more. Okay.
05:07 But the fact is, when we had to take those catches to win test matches, we took it.
05:12 And that's all I want to remember. Nothing else.
05:16 And the fielding coach, outstanding job. He's one of the best in the world.
05:19 Understated. He's Indian. And he's one of the best.
05:24 There's a question on the chat and I will read that out. It's similar to what you had said yesterday in your interview.
05:31 Ravi Ashwin also mentioned that the bubble has helped the team develop a closer bond.
05:35 As a coaching staff, what are the lessons that you take forward from this and for the time when the bubble rule is relaxed?
05:42 I think I said that first day in Blacktown, you know, when we started training in Australia in hard quarantine.
05:51 Hard but active. I mean, a little more relaxed after the first five days where you could practice.
05:58 But nevertheless hard. You couldn't get out of your rooms. Nothing.
06:01 You know, I said to the boys, with adversity comes an opportunity.
06:07 I said, cricket has never seen something like this since the Second World War.
06:13 So what you guys are going through is unreal. It is against what you're used to.
06:22 But you have no choice but to leave everything aside and focus on the game.
06:30 You know, it's channeling your energies from negative to positive in the direction of what you have come here for.
06:38 And that is to play for India.
06:40 So if you can do that, you will add a lot of positives in your character, team character, team culture, work ethics going forward.
06:51 And I must say, you know, it is very easy for someone to lose the plot.
06:56 You know, with the restrictions, with the quarantine rules changing, goalposts shifting all the time.
07:02 You know, one day you're allowed to do something, next day you're not allowed to do something because of one case here, one case there.
07:08 Things that you were promised, not happening, you know, as well.
07:14 So when you look at all that, I thought the boys were simply magnificent.
07:19 And I cannot say how proud I am of my Indian cricket team going through this tough period and qualifying for the World Test Challenge.
07:31 Against all odds.
07:32 When you go from number one to number three, sitting in your bedroom, not playing cricket, and then you qualify, number one in every department.
07:42 Top of the table, ICC rankings, percentage ranking.
07:46 Tomorrow there might be some other working that comes out.
07:48 I think we'll be number one there also.
07:50 Coach, big, big congratulations for this series win once again.
07:56 I would just like to ask you a little bit about the youngsters in this side.
08:00 Now, if we talk about Panth, Sundar, Siraj, Akshar, tell us the difference between you being a youngster in your time and them being youngsters right now.
08:13 And secondly, what did you tell Rishabh Panth after the IPL when he was completely written off for more for his attitude than what he brought on the table to herald this kind of a transformation?
08:26 I think this is an excellent question because I can relate to it.
08:31 Because at 21, 22, 23, I had similar success.
08:36 I had hundreds overseas, so I can relate to what these guys have done.
08:41 I think one quality that comes is you can never mistake or take away the exuberance of youth or the fearlessness.
08:48 You know, when you're young, when you don't carry baggage, you're not afraid.
08:52 It's only when the baggage comes in, when you become known quantity and the pressures from the outside come in that you have to perform all the time.
09:00 That's when life starts.
09:03 As it started with Rishabh Panth on this trip.
09:05 Let me address him first.
09:07 Yes, after the IPL, he came on, he came with a lot of baggage.
09:10 It showed in his size.
09:12 And he had to lose that baggage, which he did.
09:15 And he worked his backside off to lose it.
09:17 And I tell you, he has trained harder than anyone in the last two months.
09:22 And the results are not just for him to see, it's for the world to see.
09:25 When you have a naturally brilliant match winner of his ability, you know, playing to potential, it's no greater sight in cricket.
09:35 I think in the last two months, what he's done to win matches for India, you know, there'll be players who won't do it in a lifetime.
09:46 And would have never done it in a lifetime.
09:48 Now, at the age of 21, to pull off magic like he's done after working as hard as he has to then show in his wicket keeping, like yesterday, I think his keeping was outstanding on that wicket.
10:02 So, when you add the runs, the match winning efforts and the keeping improving and the hard work he's put in, because like I mentioned yesterday, he was told in no uncertain terms that this game demands respect.
10:14 And you've got to respect the game much more than what you do.
10:17 And which he did, which he addressed.
10:19 And he's, you know, he's reaping the rewards, what he's getting now.
10:23 Outstanding, simply outstanding.
10:25 Washington Sundar, if I have to say, unbelievable composure and temperament.
10:31 I mean, for someone who, yes, at under 19 age, he was an opening batsman.
10:37 But to see that kind of body language and unfazed by the best bowlers in the world in the toughest situations, as in Brisbane, as in Chennai, you know, was unreal.
10:51 Because this was an even better innings, I would say, than Brisbane.
10:55 Because you are playing at home.
10:58 You have a world championship on the line.
11:00 You're 50 adrift from the opposition.
11:03 You're batting with Pant.
11:05 Yes, you've got Akshar coming in next who can bat.
11:08 But your objective is to get closer to 205.
11:11 But these youngsters are not thinking in that fashion.
11:14 They're playing normal cricket.
11:16 They're playing fearless cricket.
11:18 And they're playing free cricket.
11:20 And you then go on to get 360.
11:22 Akshar Patel, seasoned campion.
11:25 I wouldn't call him a youngster.
11:27 You know, he's been around the Indian team for years.
11:30 He's been very unlucky with injuries.
11:33 A lot of other players have got opportunities because of his injuries, including the likes of Jadeja, including the likes of Krunal Pandya, because he's been injured.
11:44 So, this is the time when he was injury-free and he made the most of it.
11:48 But try and think, India playing in India without a Jadeja.
11:52 He's one of the best all-rounders in the world.
11:54 He is arguably the best all-rounder in the world.
11:57 He didn't play.
11:58 Someone else grabbed an opportunity.
12:00 Now, when he comes in and the three play together, there'll be some fun.
12:04 In India, especially.
12:06 Hi, Ravi.
12:07 Yesterday, you spoke about how the team management recognised that empathy was going to be very crucial through this period of being in the bubble.
12:17 Can you give us an example of what this translated to in how you're day-to-day working with the players, etc.?
12:25 You had to be patient, more than anything else.
12:27 See, we started Australia with two losses in the one-day game.
12:32 So, normally, in normal circumstances, you can go straight to the point and address it and say, you know, you can be a little aggressive.
12:41 You can be more straight to the point with the individual and tell him, "Pull up your socks."
12:48 But I had made up my mind with my team management very early that we're going to show empathy.
12:54 Because for six months, a lot of the guys have not got out of their flats.
12:58 You know, no one lives in farms and houses in India.
13:02 You know, some do, some don't.
13:05 Luckily, I have a place outside Bombay, so I could stay there and roam freely.
13:10 But a lot of the other boys were in flats, and they're professional sportsmen.
13:14 So, when you can't get out and do the job you have to do for six months, which you've done all your life, you know, it's not easy.
13:22 While in Australia, New Zealand, you know, the rules were relaxed.
13:25 People would go out, train. Australia even went out and played in England.
13:29 So, I knew very clearly that it will take time.
13:34 Now, how much time do I be patient? That was my call.
13:39 You know, and it didn't take long because a week, ten days.
13:43 So, we were two weeks quarantined, another week, two losses, so three weeks.
13:48 By the time the boys had trained a bit, and I knew there was, we needed one result.
13:53 Our way for things to turn around very quickly.
13:56 Because of the work we had done over the last four, five years as an Indian cricketing.
14:01 You know, you would realize that this team takes pride in winning.
14:05 This team doesn't mind losing as long as they throw punches.
14:11 So, it was a matter of just being patient for that one switch of results.
14:20 And it happened in the third game, in the one-day game, through some brilliance from Hardik and Jaddu.
14:26 And then you didn't look back. I don't think from that day, once we won that game, we matched Australia day for day.
14:36 Because we lost the one-day series, we won the T20 series and we won the Test series.
14:42 So, you know, you can't have a tour like that, you know, where unreal, you know, from lockdown to get unlocked.
14:49 And then pull off something special was very special.
14:52 So, that's where the empathy came.
14:54 Where instead of being hard on the guys, you said, let's be patient.
14:58 Understand their mindset, where they've come from six months of lockdown.
15:03 What they've gone through, what the rules are in this place you've gone to.
15:09 And it was hard because things were being shifted every day.
15:13 Things that were promised weren't happening.
15:15 Maybe we're straight here.
15:17 Right? Because of one case here, one case, they could bend the rules.
15:21 And we are very accommodating.
15:24 Ravinder, my next question is an extension like about Washington.
15:29 So, like one fine day in the early 80s, you had told that you have to open against the best park bowler in the world.
15:36 For Washington also, do you see the glimpse of you in him like whatever tough trunks that he has scored and the way he has…
15:43 He has recently said that if he is told to open, he can open like you did.
15:48 So, do you see a glimpse of you in him?
15:50 I think he has far more natural ability than I had.
15:53 But definitely, he can… I think he should be batting in the top four for the state.
15:57 There's no question about that.
15:59 You know, if I have to have a word with any of the Tamil Nadu selectors or the captain with DK or something of that sort, I think he should be batting in the top four.
16:08 He's good enough. He belongs there.
16:11 He has the ability and he can get a lot of runs.
16:14 And at the same time, if he can focus on his bowling, you know, India could have a very good number six in the future even overseas.
16:22 You know, someone who can get you a 50, 60, 70 and then can bowl for you about 20 overs and pick up 2-3 wickets.
16:30 You know, that was my role overseas.
16:32 I think he can do that role easily and even better.
16:36 Coach, one of the positives of the life of the bubble is, from our perspective, multiple players have said that they haven't had a better bonded team all this while.
16:49 So, from the coaching staff and the team manager's perspective, can you cite an example as to the kind of team bonding sessions or the measures that you took in order to get the boys to be together all this?
17:01 There's no choice.
17:02 You know, there are restricted areas.
17:04 There are team areas.
17:05 So, you can't go out anywhere.
17:07 You can't meet anyone.
17:08 And the same exists now.
17:10 So, if you want to get out of your room, go into a team area, you know, where you'll meet other players.
17:15 So, what it's done basically is, it's made players meet each other more often after playing hours.
17:24 And when you meet more often, somewhere down the line, there will be conversations regarding the game, which used to happen in our time.
17:33 You know, when you finish the game, you'd still be sitting in the dressing room a good hour after the game, talking cricket.
17:38 So, I think the best thing that's happened is talking cricket amongst, you know, the team members.
17:46 And they had no choice.
17:47 So, they were forced to do it and that's been a big help.
17:51 So, they've got to understand each other better.
17:53 They've got to understand each other's background, mental state, where they come from, where they are in life, settled, unsettled, what.
18:04 It allowed them to open themselves to their colleagues a lot more, discuss personal issues, you know, more freely, win more trust from the team members.
18:17 A lot of positives, like you mentioned, came out and because of this bubble.
18:22 Ravi, this is a question about you.
18:26 There are lots of these alcohol memes and stuff that goes on about you.
18:32 Recently, you responded to one, calling it Santa.
18:35 But more than fun, especially the last two years, associated with lots of big-shot criticism.
18:42 You know, especially after England 2018, where we lost to Chaucer.
18:46 So, that gets good as well.
18:48 So, probably now it's fun and society is turning towards you.
18:52 How do you feel, honestly feel, I don't have to say honest, you will say it.
18:55 But how do you honestly feel about all the criticism and now, at this stage in your career as a coach,
19:01 a redspin coming through, you know, how do you honestly accept this?
19:05 And one lighter moment, one funniest incident from Australian, off the field, from Australia and in this own city.
19:13 I would say, see, it's banter.
19:18 It's banter all the way.
19:20 I mean, they do it to have fun.
19:22 Right, okay, at my expense.
19:24 I'll take a laugh, yeah, I'll have a drink on my name.
19:26 What difference does it make?
19:27 I'll have lemon water or I'll have milk and honey.
19:30 Okay, but you enjoy a drink, enjoy it at my expense.
19:34 You bring, I mean, when you post those kind of things, how many people laugh?
19:38 How many people are happy?
19:40 How many people say, see, what's happened to Ravi?
19:42 Enjoy it, what difference does it make?
19:44 As long as the team does well, I'm happy.
19:47 Now, I've got a lot of criticism of you as a coach around 2018, that it's not happening.
19:55 What's the point of criticism, man? There's so much cricket going on, Shriram.
20:00 How much have you seen cricket?
20:02 Huh?
20:03 How fast do you wear a cap, man?
20:05 Nowadays, you know, man, more than anything else.
20:08 It all revolves around performances.
20:11 Do well, you will get the accolades.
20:13 If you don't perform, you'll get a kick.
20:16 Okay, you'll get a slap too.
20:17 So, be calm, Om Shanti Om, work.
20:22 Ranveer, when you were called up as a coach by the LCS, the BCCI,
20:28 how easy was it to take up this role?
20:31 How difficult was it?
20:33 How did you see this journey?
20:36 And how much is the man-management in this?
20:38 And how much is the technical?
20:40 Will you tell us, with love?
20:42 Man, Sunandan, I never expected this.
20:46 When I was given this job, I didn't know what it entailed.
20:53 But after doing it, all that I learned in these 6 years,
20:58 I didn't learn in the first 35 years of the game.
21:01 I mean, you're talking about man-management.
21:03 Man-management is the most important.
21:05 But after that, the more important thing is to understand human behavior.
21:12 What are the instincts, behavior, and mindset of each person?
21:17 Understanding that is the most important thing.
21:21 Means how someone reacts to failure, how someone reacts to success.
21:25 When to talk to whom, when not to talk to whom.
21:29 Technical is very less.
21:32 Because this is a big group.
21:35 So, to understand mindset and make it work as a cohesive unit,
21:40 you need to be on top of the ball in understanding mindsets,
21:47 so that they can all collectively work, channelize their energies together in one direction.
21:53 Not easy.
21:54 Because in our country, people come from different states,
21:57 from different backgrounds, and speak different languages.
22:01 So, it took me a couple of years to understand this.
22:04 But I was absolutely clear that in my mind,
22:08 and the captain, Virat Kohli, a lot of people forget the role he's played.
22:15 Because if my mindset and his mindset didn't match,
22:19 then nothing would have happened.
22:21 Virat was on the same page as me.
22:24 He wanted professionalism, he wanted work ethics, he wanted fitness,
22:28 he wanted high fielding standards, he wanted trust within the system,
22:33 he wanted an energy that was positive, channelized towards playing cricket.
22:39 No excuses.
22:41 Win or lose.
22:43 Take ownership if you've messed up.
22:46 Rather than pointing fingers,
22:48 "This didn't happen, the umpire made a bad decision."
22:50 No, no. This team doesn't give excuses.
22:52 So, that's the first thing to remove from the system.
22:56 Remove the "I" word.
22:58 Put "we".
23:00 So, we worked together as a team.
23:05 And I think, when I see this Indian team now,
23:08 and I see, when I walk into the team room,
23:11 and I see the energy there, I see the team spirit there,
23:16 I haven't seen a mall like this.
23:19 I've been here for 7 years, I haven't seen a mall like this.
23:23 The trust, enjoyment, pride in performing for the country, I haven't seen that.
23:31 So, as an individual, as a coach, I'm extremely proud of what the boys have done,
23:37 and I'm proud of my Indian cricket team.
23:40 [Music]