Indian cricket team bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has shed light on the contrasting personalities of two of the team’s stalwarts – Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami – highlighting how their unique mental strengths contribute significantly to India’s success.
Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami at World Cup
Both Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami were instrumental in India’s impressive run at the ODI World Cup last year. Kohli dominated the batting charts with a staggering 765 runs, while Shami reigned supreme as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps. Despite their contrasting approaches, their unwavering mental fortitude under pressure proved to be a winning formula for India.
Virat Kohli: The Aggressive Leader
Mhambrey described Virat Kohli as an “outwardly aggressive” leader who wears his emotions on his sleeve. His relentless drive and in-your-face attitude inspire his teammates and often intimidate opponents. Kohli’s mastery of chasing big totals has been a game-changer for India in recent times.
Mohammed Shami: The Quiet Assassin
In stark contrast, Mohammed Shami embodies a calm and composed demeanor. Paras Mhambrey portrays him as a bowler who celebrates with a simple “hello” after taking a wicket, belying a deep understanding of his craft. Shami’s dedication to his personalized training regimen ensures he’s always in peak physical condition.
“Both are different personalities altogether, but in terms of mental strength, both are up there,” Mhambrey said at the launch of book ‘G.O.A.T.S Must Be Crazy’ in Mumbai.
“Virat is purely aggressive, on the face all the time. Shami is complete in contrast, never on his own. You will see a lot more bowlers being pumped out in celebration after taking a wicket but Shami will do the usual ‘hello’ kind of stuff.”
“Shami appears to be laid back, but he understands his game in and out. He knows what’s expected of him. I’ve worked a lot with Shami in the recent past. He’s completely different in terms of training and he will do something that suits him. He knows what works for him and knows his body inside out,” he said.
United in Mental Strength
Despite their contrasting personalities, both Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami share an exceptional ability to absorb pressure and thrive in high-stakes situations.
Paras Mhambrey emphasized that their mental resilience is a key factor in achieving peak performance. Both players understand their roles perfectly, and their unique approaches combine to deliver outstanding results for the team.
Virat Kohli work ethic rubs off
Paras Mhambrey lauded Virat Kohli’s dedication to his craft, highlighting how his work ethic motivates younger players in the team. Youngsters actively seek guidance and knowledge from Virat Kohli, learning valuable lessons from his experience and success. Mhambrey believes this hunger and obsession with improvement are essential qualities for any athlete aspiring for greatness.
“To be able to see the work put in by Virat day in and day out is an eye opener. You see youngsters talking to him and trying to learn from him. It gives everyone a fantastic insight into how he prepares.”
“I see a lot of younger people in the team taking out those minutes to have that conversation with him because those words of wisdom are fantastic. Unless you are not crazy or obsessed in any profession that you are, you can never be one of the greatest and that’s common with all sportspersons.”
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Road to Greatness
Paras Mhambrey acknowledges that some level of natural talent is a prerequisite for sporting excellence. Players like Shami and Jasprit Bumrah possess unique, almost unreplicable skillsets.
However, greatness is ultimately achieved through a combination of factors – the right attitude, relentless hard work, a clear vision for oneself, and the inspiration to become the very best. When these elements come together, they pave the way for a player to be crowned the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).
Paras Mhambrey’s analysis sheds light on the importance of mental strength and a winning attitude in achieving cricketing greatness. While Kohli and Shami might go about it in contrasting styles, their shared determination and focus are what truly make them invaluable assets for Team India.
