Ahmedabad: Ravi Shastri was each Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev’s ‘go to man’ together with his all-round skills during the ’80s and India head coach firmly believes that younger Washington Sundar may play an identical role in the present Test group. The left-handed specialist batsman, who additionally bowls imply off-breaks, scored three half centuries in his 4 Tests together with six wickets which incorporates prized scalps of Steve Smith and Joe Root.
Do you see glimpses of you in him?
“I think Washy has far more natural ability than I had,” mentioned the veteran of 80 Tests who had shut to 4000 runs and 150 plus wickets.
“He has the ability and he belongs at this level and he can go a long way. If he could focus on his bowling (in Tests), India could have a very good number six for overseas conditions. Someone who can get you those 50s, 60s and 70s and then bowl for you 20 overs and can pick up 2-3 wickets. That was my role overseas (during whole of 1980s) and I think he can do that role easily,” the head coach mentioned during a digital press meet on Sunday.
Shastri additionally advised that Washington ought to begin batting in the high 4 for Tamil Nadu throughout codecs. “Definitely, he should be batting in the top four for his state. There is no question about that. I would like to have a word with Tamil Nadu selectors or DK (captain Dinesh Karthik) for that matter. I think he should be batting in the top four,” Shastri mentioned.
For Shastri, Washington’s innings of 96, coming in at 153 for 6 was a greater effort than his 85 not out in Chennai. “Washington Sundar, this is unreal. Facing some of the toughest bowlers in the world. I would say this innings was far better as the WTC was on line,” he mentioned.
Shastri feels that he can relate far more with the Washingtons and the Rishabh Pants as a result of he had additionally tasted abroad success as a teen. “At 21, 22 or 23, I had similar success, so I can relate to as I scored hundreds overseas. What you can never take away is exuberance of youth. It’s only when the baggage comes of being a known quantity and that’s when life starts.”
And for Shastri, it could not have been extra satisfying than discovering that Pant has understood the worth he brings into this set-up together with his match-winning skills. “Rishabh Pant, he came in after IPL with a lot of baggage and that showed in his size and he had to lose that (weight) which he did. He worked his backside off. I can tell you that he has trained harder than anyone else, and results are not just for him to see but for world to see,” Shastri mentioned.
“A brilliant match-winner, playing to his potential and there is no greater sight than that. There won’t be many who would be able to do that in a lifetime,” mentioned Shastri.
He was additionally glad for Axar Patel, who had misplaced out various years in worldwide cricket due to accidents and noticed others leapfrog him in pecking order. “Axar Patel is a seasoned campaigner, I wouldn’t call him a youngster. He has been around the Indian team for years, very unlucky with injuries, other players have got opportunities because of his injuries, including the likes of Jadeja, Krunal Pandya,” Shastri was sympathetic for the man, who obtained 27 wickets in his debut sequence.”
“….Because he has been injured, now he was injury free and he made the most of it. Try thinking about India playing in India without Jadeja, one of the best all rounders in the world. He (Jadeja) didn’t play and someone else (Axar) did. “When the three (Ash, Jaddu, Axar) play collectively, it is going to be some enjoyable,” the coach could not conceal his pleasure.
India now has round 25 to 30 good Test gamers and credit score to bio-bubble that the bench energy additionally obtained examined in adversarial situations. “Because of bio-bubble, we have to move with a squad of 25-30 players. As a result you had to dig deep and find your best 30 players. As luck would have it, we had no choice but to play each 30 of them. And you found out who’s good and who’s not good.”
Shastri mentioned that if somebody would have informed him six months in the past that Thangarasu Natarajan and Washington Sundar would make their Test debuts, he would not have believed. “It’s a good headache to have and something that’s worked well, You could have never imagined the number of players who have played for India in last six months. Would you have thought Natarajan and Washington would have played a Test match? No way.”
“These are things you wouldn’t have imagined but circumstances make it happen.”
