Shastri backs Fletcher's skills as coach
Ravi Shastri, who was appointed India's team director in the wake of the 3-1
defeat in the Test series in England, said he was proud of how the team bounced back to
claim the ODIs by the same margin. Reviewing his role and India's limited-overs
performance, Shastri also credited the support staff, including head coach Duncan Fletcher,
whose future has been hotly debated in light of India suffering a second successive Test
series loss in England under his watch.
I got more than I would have expected," Shastri said. "I say that only because
England's record at home, not many sides have thrashed them 3-1 in a four-match ODI
series. It is a big achievement, from what they were mentally after the Test series defeat,
and then, to respond in that fashion made me feel proud."
Despite his abrupt appointment, senior players like MS Dhoni , the India captain,
and Suresh Raina said Shastri's positive mind-set played a crucial role in keeping the
dressing room upbeat during the ODI series. Shastri was quite visible during the training
sessions as he ran around the ground overseeing the players' drills and would pass on his
observations during private chats. "
I had a plenty of one-on-one chats," he said. "Not sessions. I was not afraid to
speak to a guy individually. Ground, bus, bar, dressing room, while eating, we were talking
cricket." Shastri had made it clear that he would oversee everything during the ODI series
and everyone would report to him, including Fletcher and Dhoni. That had raised further
questions on Fletcher's future but Sanjay Patel, the BCCI secretary, had told ESPNcricinfo
that nothing had been decided on the matter. Some board officials, though, believed
Fletcher's job was hanging in the balance and Shastri's report on the ODI series might
prove the difference."Fletcher is the coach," Shastri said. "
He looks over the handling of various things including little, little stuff. He is
tremendous. He would have done over a 100 Tests as a coach, which is massive. He is very
good. He is technically very sound. He is a solid character. He is respected. He is a fatherly
figure. Let the media say what they want. I have told you what I thought of Fletcher. I will go
back and speak with the BCCI." more >>
Ravi Shastri, who was appointed India's team director in the wake of the 3-1
defeat in the Test series in England, said he was proud of how the team bounced back to
claim the ODIs by the same margin. Reviewing his role and India's limited-overs
performance, Shastri also credited the support staff, including head coach Duncan Fletcher,
whose future has been hotly debated in light of India suffering a second successive Test
series loss in England under his watch.
I got more than I would have expected," Shastri said. "I say that only because
England's record at home, not many sides have thrashed them 3-1 in a four-match ODI
series. It is a big achievement, from what they were mentally after the Test series defeat,
and then, to respond in that fashion made me feel proud."
Despite his abrupt appointment, senior players like MS Dhoni , the India captain,
and Suresh Raina said Shastri's positive mind-set played a crucial role in keeping the
dressing room upbeat during the ODI series. Shastri was quite visible during the training
sessions as he ran around the ground overseeing the players' drills and would pass on his
observations during private chats. "
I had a plenty of one-on-one chats," he said. "Not sessions. I was not afraid to
speak to a guy individually. Ground, bus, bar, dressing room, while eating, we were talking
cricket." Shastri had made it clear that he would oversee everything during the ODI series
and everyone would report to him, including Fletcher and Dhoni. That had raised further
questions on Fletcher's future but Sanjay Patel, the BCCI secretary, had told ESPNcricinfo
that nothing had been decided on the matter. Some board officials, though, believed
Fletcher's job was hanging in the balance and Shastri's report on the ODI series might
prove the difference."Fletcher is the coach," Shastri said. "
He looks over the handling of various things including little, little stuff. He is
tremendous. He would have done over a 100 Tests as a coach, which is massive. He is very
good. He is technically very sound. He is a solid character. He is respected. He is a fatherly
figure. Let the media say what they want. I have told you what I thought of Fletcher. I will go
back and speak with the BCCI." more >>
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