IPL 2022: Ravi Shastri- Rob Key” Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared a precious piece of advice to commentator-turned-ECB Director of Cricket. He has advised him on how to face the challenges of facing the media instead of being on the other side of the microphone. He feels Rob Key will have to grow a “thick skin” like the Dube ball to counter “jealous people” on his new assignment.
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IPL 2022 Commentator & Ex-India coach Ravi Shastri’s BIG ADVICE to Commentator-turned-ECB Director of Cricket Rob Key- check out
Shastri was at helm of India’s coaching staff between 2014 to 2021, save one year in the middle when Anil Kumble was given the charge.
“I didn’t have coaching badges [either]. Level one? Level two? **** that. And in a country like India, there is always jealousy or a gang of people willing you to fail. I had a thick skin, thicker than the leather of the Dukes ball you use. A real solid hide.
“And you need a bloody hide over here. Rob will develop this as he does the job, because every day you are judged. And I am glad he has a lot of captaincy experience from his time at Kent, because communication with the players is absolutely paramount,” Shastri was quoted as saying by the British newspaper.
IPL 2022 Commentator & Ex-India coach Ravi Shastri’s BIG ADVICE to Commentator-turned-ECB Director of Cricket Rob Key- check out
From his own experience of working with the Indian team, Shastri feels that national teams across the cricketing world function in a pretty similar fashion.
“Rob may have more work with the domestic game but, when it comes to the national team, it is very similar. The most important thing is getting among the players and setting a tone from the outset: what you believe in, what you think of them and changing the mindset to compete and win.
Outlining the philosophy and team culture is important, according to Shastri and that’s what he had drilled in when India beat Australia in two back-to-back away series.
“…it was also outlining how we want to play: to be aggressive and ruthless, to up the fitness levels, to get a group of fast bowlers to take 20 wickets overseas. And it was about attitude, especially when playing the Aussies. I told the boys if one single expletive comes your way, give them three back: two in our language and one in theirs.”
Shastri also feels that Key needs to discuss issues with former Test captain Joe Root to understand how it all works.
“Rob will have an adjustment period to understand the issues and will need to speak in detail with Joe Root for his experiences as Test captain. But in my 24 years [commentating], I did not miss a beat or a ball of Indian cricket.
