While former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has been quick to point fingers at the player’s “overconfidence” for Indore’s loss in the first ODI with Australia, skipper Rohit Sharma was equally quick to shut him down. There seems to be little patience from Rohit Sharma with Shastri’s commentary on the match and who could blame him? His six year coaching span may be considered a passing comment in comparison to Rohit Sharma’s long standing position and contribution as part of the Indian team. The jury is still out on who is right – perhaps it can’t be blamed on just “overconfidence”. It certainly seems that what goes around comes around and Shastri, qui etly no doubt, may experience a newfound sympahtyfor all those he has criticized in the past.
Skipper Rohit Sharma has been drawing praise for his calm demeanour during the last 18 months, but when asked about an ex-head coach’s critique of the third Test victory, he was extremely unequivocal in his rebuttal. His stance is clear: winning two games was a significant success to celebrate, however Indian players looked to make even more of an impact by aiming high and doing their absolute best in all four games. He dismissed any suggestion that his team may be overconfident or complacent, because those on the “outside” have no idea what is going on within the dressing room. Above all, Rohit maintains that they would never tire in trying to push themselves further and higher.
Rohit could not have said it better. His sharp retort might have gone completely unnoticed if it weren’t for the person it addressed – Ravi Shastri, a man who was until recently the team’s tactical policy maker and its biggest official cheerleader. No one was quite expecting to hear him say that outsiders don’t matter to them as long as they are striving to do their best in each game, whatever people might label it as outside. Even though his comment may’ve come across as overly confident or even arrogant, Rohit seemed to point out that Shastri knows the inner workings of this team like no other. He has been part of what goes on inside their dressing room from close quarters, and he should understand their attitude when aiming for top performance.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli is renowned for his unyielding approach to the game. To many, it may be viewed as misplaced confidence yet for Kohli, it knows no other way – ruthless. His team draws their own true strength from playing fiercely and never allowing their opponents an inch of space to grow. Such is the intensity of their focus that the team needs to be in full measure even when they can identify the outcome of a match or series defeat. Every cricketer on his side has this unwavering belief that mutes any form of complacency, which allows them to channel every ounce of energy towards winning each battle all along. The will, resolve and undiminished strength persist in every opposition; something that rallies his players as one, leaving no room for doubt whatsoever.
