X

India’s Fielding Coach R Sridhar Explains ‘Differences Between Anil Kumble & Ravi Shastri’

With the very saddening events that took place between skipper Virat Kohli and former coach Anil Kumble, what Team India is going through is well known to everyone now, this head coach crisis is one very crucial issue that must be tackled as fast as possible. Earlier, though many legendaries like Ravi Shastri had applied, the position was granted to the former ace bowler Anil Kumble.

But, this time, the story is different, a couple of names like Sehwag and Shastri are on the table. Despite the various concerns, Shastri is now the team’s favor as he already ensembles good company with skipper Virat Kohli.

Shastri, back then stated that he is going to apply for the post only if he is definitely granted with the position. Now that he applied for coach position created a buzz among people that he will the coach for the Indian team for sure! Speculations say that he will stand as the favorite person in the race after Kumble’s resignation.

Related Article: With The Exit Of Anil Kumble, Ravi Shastri Becomes The Favorite, Applies For The Head Coach Position

As it appears that Ravi Shastri might be selected monotonously, and at this moment, one must be aware of the flaws and positive impact that can be found under the coaching of Ravi Shastri. When it comes to such interpretation, India’s fielding coach Sridhar R can be identified as the best person to assist BCCI.

Sridhar, former bowler has been working as the fielding coach of India from past three years, he has seen the playing strategy of Kohli and knows what is required for Indian team now, he is pretty sure of the things that we lack in, detailing this, he opened up about the former as aspiring coaches, revealed few differences.

Coming to the working experience of Shastri, joined back in 2014 as Team Director, he had a two-year long stint with the Men in Blue. Under his mentorship, Team India managed to stroll into the semi-final stage of the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 World T20, secured the first rank in Test format, though we lost it Australia post eight weeks.

“Shastri was somebody who was character-based. He wanted characters in the team, so he worked on that kind of approach, he wanted to take that approach to the field. Kumble was someone who wanted to achieve excellence in his own way. They were two different people, they cannot be the same,” said Sridhar.

On one note, the fielding coach was quoted saying that Kumble should have co-operated with Kohli in the process of the team Kohli dreamt of making.

“What’s important in today’s cricket as a leader is to follow the energies within the group. It’s important to be receptive. You have to yield to the demands of the group and you have to make sure that each guy is in the best possible space, the current Indian has some great experience. So we should allow that experience to take over and be inclusive and take the best possible decisions for the team. What is important to be a good leader is to be a good follower” he concluded.

Post this, when asked about the team’s thoughts on the head coach, if they’re craving for Kumble or Shastri, Sridhar turned down the question saying:

“Look, they are a professional outfit and they go about their business as to what is required for the team. So each guy is quite busy and taken up in his own preparations for each match. They know what to do and whom to speak to, and what to get out of the coaches. They are the best judges as for how they need to prepare.”