Team India Coach: R Sridhar, former fielding coach of Team India, has written about many incidents in his book. He has made a disclosure about the fourth Test of the series played between India and Australia in Gaba in the year 2021. Then a player has lied to the head coach.
R Sridhar Book, Shardul Thakur lied to Ravi Shastri: The Indian team may not have won any ICC trophy under the guidance of Ravi Shastri but performed very well in the Test format. If only the ICC trophy is kept aside, Shastri’s tenure was good. Now a revelation has come about them. Team India’s former fielding coach R Sridhar has written in his book on the conversation between a player and Ravi Shastri.
- Story related to Australia series win
The 2020-21 win hosted by Australia will go down in history as one of India’s biggest overseas wins so far. Not only the fans but the players were disappointed to see the match being ‘all out for 36 runs’. Then in Gaba, Team India showed amazing and put on a blistering performance. Rishabh Pant was injured in that match and he had taken pain-killer medicines before coming on the field. Pant had put his team on the verge of victory by scoring 97 runs in 118 balls. He also shared a 148-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara scored 77 runs. Although Team India got 127 runs to chase in the last session. Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari were at the crease. Jadeja was also part of the batting line-up, but had injured his thumb. Vihari was also struggling with a hamstring injury, while Ashwin had a back injury.
- Sridhar disclosed
Team India’s former fielding coach R Sridhar has revealed in his book ‘Coaching Beyond: My Days with the Indian Cricket Team’ that it was decided at the tee-break in that match that Vihari, who was replaced by Nathan Lyon due to his injury Was having difficulty facing, has to field. Sridhar wrote, ‘Vihari and Ashwin came on T-break. We gathered to encourage them. Vihari was struggling with a hamstring injury. He didn’t seem able to play Leon well.
- Shardul Thakur lied
Sridhar said that in the initial phase, work was being done on the plan completely. Then an unnecessary single was taken. Then India’s head coach Ravi Shastri sent Shardul Thakur during the drinks break with the message that Ashwin and Vihari would have to stick to the plan. Sridhar wrote, ‘After standing at their respective ends, for some strange reason they took a single. When this happened a few times, Ravi got angry. He called substitute Shardul Thakur and told him – listen to me very carefully and repeat this to him, come what may, Vihari will handle the fast bowlers. Ashwin will play Leon. No single, do not change ends. Got it?’ Shardul smiled and said – Yes, sir.
- Ravi did not listen
Shastri had confirmed with Shardul whether he had given the message and the bowler then agreed. However, much later it came to light that Shardul did not listen to Shastri and lied to him. Sridhar felt that either the fast bowler forgot the order in the middle or he probably did not want to disrupt the form of the batsmen. After all, he praised Shardul for his act. When Shardul went inside, Ashwin asked him what was being said. To this Shardul replied- He is saying a lot but you guys should not worry. You are batting well.
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