Team India's next challenge is against New Zealand in the final of the WTC.
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar said that at an international level, a coach's job is to ensure that players remain positive in crunch situations which Indian Ravi Shastri has been able to do successfully.
Team India has been ruthless in all three formats both at home as well as in away conditions. Virat Kohli led Team India is one of the fittest in the world and the fearless attitude of the players has helped the team reach new heights in world cricket.
However, apart from Indian skipper Virat Kohli, one person who has also been one of the main architects responsible for a change in culture that has benefitted the team immensely is head coach Ravi Shastri.
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Shastri took the coaching duties in July 2017 and under him, Team India has been dominant and under his tenure, the Virat Kohli-led side has managed back to back wins in the Test series in Australia and have advanced to the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).
If India manages to win the WTC final, it would be a great feather in Ravi Shastri’s cap as all his hard work with the team over the years will payoff.
In an interaction with India Today for eSalaamCricket, batting great Sachin Tendulkar said that at the international level coach’s job is to keep the team in the right frame of mind as it is good to have a positive atmosphere in the dressing room during critical moments.
“At this level, everyone knows how to defend or drive, bowlers know how to bowl outswingers or inswingers. But to actually keep them in the right frame of my mind is the coach’s job. There is nothing better than having a good atmosphere in the dressing room during critical moments,"
Tendulkar recalled how former head coach Gary Kirsten played an instrumental role in helping India draw a Test match in New Zealand during his time.
"We were playing against New Zealand in Napier and they had made a big score in the first innings. We also made a big score but theirs was huge and we were made to follow on with almost two days remaining in the Test.
“Gary Kirsten did not get angry at all, he came into the dressing room and told us that this was the time to show what we were made of. Let's go out and bat for two days. And we batted for two days and drew the Test,” he said.
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Sachin Tendulkar further said in crunch moments coach needs to stay calm and Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has been able to do that.
"In those crunch moments if the coach remains calm, a lot of problems go away and that is what Ravi has been able to do. I would also say you have to be stern with players when needed but how you talk to them at those moments is also very important. And he has been able to do that successfully," he concluded.
The WTC final will be played between Team India and New Zealand from 18th June to 22nd June at Ageas Bowl, Southampton.
The winner will be awarded a prize of $1.6 million along with the mace while the runners-up would receive $800,000. The prize money will be shared between the two teams if the game ends in a draw.
(India Today inputs)