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'When I was coach, we were timid at the top...': Ravi Shastri's blunt take on India's batting approach in past
Last year's World T20 in the UAE was Ravi Shastri's last assignment as India's head coach.
India's conservative approach at the start of the innings had led to their early exit from the T20 World Cup last year. The tournament was Ravi Shastri's last assignment as India's head coach. Cut to the present day, the team has got new figureheads, with Rohit Sharma replacing Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid coming in place of Shastri. Recent T20s suggest India has adopted an aggressive approach in the lead-up to this year's World T20 in Australia.
Shastri admitted that his team was a bit "timid" in the past but encouraged the current lot to stick to its attacking brand of cricket. "They should not change the approach (they have shown of late). Even when I was coach we discussed we were a bit timid at the top considering the players we had down the order.
"It is the right approach. You will lose a few games in between but if you start winning with this approach you can take that confidence in big games and use the same tactics," said Shastri in a press conference organised by Star Sports.
Shastri also backed Kohli to end his lean run in Asia Cup. The star batter's lean patch has been a hot topic of debate. He last hit an international century in November 2019 and is going through the worst phase of his otherwise stellar career.
Kohli will play in his 100th T20 international when India face Pakistan in their opener, after being rested from the recent tour of the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
" I haven't spoken to him (recently). It is not rocket science. Mental fatigue can creep into the best in the world. This down time was not just needed for his body but to reflect," the 60-year-old said.
"He will come back with a much calmer mind. He gets 50 in the first game, mouths will be shut. Public memory is very short and works both ways.
"There is no cricketer fitter than him. People keep saying one innings can make a difference but with a player like Kohli it makes a massive difference. His hunger and passion remains undiminished. He would have learnt from this phase let me tell you that," Shastri added.
