The former India head coach reminisced a story involving youngsters Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill from the sidelines of the historic Brisbane Test in early 2021. The 59-year-old remembers feeling awe-struck by the two youngsters’ confidence and clarity, and deciding not to tell them anything as they can look after themselves on the field.
The incident is from the tea interval on Day 5 of the memorable Test match that India won to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite missing multiple first-choice players. Chasing a stiff target of 328, India had Gill laying a perfect foundation to the chase with an exceptional 91 before Pant owned the stage in the face of adversity, scoring a magnificent 89 not out to take his side through.
Ravi Shastri recalled overhearing a discussion between the two bright young talents and minds in the second interval of the day while he was going to the loo.
The coach stopped for a bit, listened to his two boys talking and went straight without telling them anything but “keep going” as they had made up their mind not to drop the guard and play for a draw at any stage.
“These 2 young boys were having a chat – Gill and Pant. Gill had batted magnificently to set it up with a brilliant 90. I stopped and listened and walked straight past, and I said ‘keep going’. Did not say a word. I knew in my mind they were going for it,”
said Shastri during Star Sports’ show ‘Bold & Brave The Ravi Shastri way’, reflecting the attitude with which he got the Indian side to play during his mighty successful tenure.
“I endorse that kind of cricket. In trying to do that you might lose, but if you pull it off, that’s the ultimate heist. That’s what we did there,”
added the former India skipper and allrounder.
Shastri’s four-year spell came to a close with the end of the 2021 T20 World Cup in the United Arabic Emirates, where the Men in Blue faced a disappointing Super 12 exit.
But his tenure will be remembered for India’s great success in Test cricket in Australia, England, Sri Lanka, West Indies and of course, at home in India.
