Ravi Shastri peerless when it comes to encouraging youngsters: Sunil Gavaskar lauds India head coach

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar heaped rich praise on RavI Shastri, saying the India head coach is the best in the business when it comes to grooming and motivating young cricketers.

Sunil Gavaskar, speaking at a webinar on the sidelines of the launch of ‘1971: The Beginning of India’s Cricketing Greatness’ book, said it’s unbelievable how well Ravi Shastri is able to give confidence to young cricketers whom he believes in.

Ravi Shastri has been in charge as the head coach of the senior national men’s cricket team since 2017. Under Shastri, India have managed to clinch historic Test series wins in Australia, ODI series victories in South Africa. While they managed to reach the semi-final of the World Cup in 2019, India have made it to the final of the World Test Championship.

During Shastri’s reign as the head coach, India also have developed an envious bench strength with quite a few youngsters grabbing their opportunities at the highest level.

“Just 10-15 minutes with Ravi Shastri after a practice session. You know Ravi has got the ability to give so much confidence to youngsters, it’s unbelievable,” Gavaskar said

“If he believes in their ability and talent, there is no better man than Ravi Shastri to give encouragement to that youngster.

“He will scold you, tell you off but at the same time, he will tell you what you can do to get better, he will actually demonstrate to you,” Gavaskar added.

Giving a piece of advice to young cricketers in the country, Gavaskar urged them to spend more time with people who believe in their talents. The legendary former India captain also lauded bowling coach Bharat Arun’s effort in helping India develop a battery of world-class fast bowlers.

“Then you have Bharat, when you talk to some of the seam bowlers who did splendidly during the second half of the Australia tour, they are all full of praise for Bharat as to how he guided them.]

“That’s what these youngsters need to do. Spend as much time as possible with Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun. There are no better persons than these two when you are having self-doubts,” Gavaskar said.

Adding that Team India is blessed to have a support staff as good as the current unit, Gavaskar added: “I have always believed that it’s temperament which separates the men from boys. If talent and temperament are married, it will always turn out to be a good marriage.

“There are times when you feel they are not very confident of themselves and they are having self doubts, I think those self doubts are natural in a young man’s life…

“So sit with people who are confident, believe in your abilities and honestly this Indian team is so blessed to have the support staff they have.”

After IPL 2021, India will head to England to take on New Zealand in the final of the World Test Championship after which they will take on England in a Test series in the Old Blighty.