Ravi Shastri is the best at encouraging youngsters: Sunil Gavaskar

Ever since Ravi Shastri has taken the position of Team India’s coach and director, the team has prospered and has gone onto bringing some of the biggest laurels, which includes recent victories in the Test series against Australia and the World Test Championship Final spot.

Praising Shastri for his ability, legendary former Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar heaped praises and appreciated him for his ability to motivate youngsters even in their lowest phases. Gavaskar said that Shastri is an “incredible” mentor with an “unbelievable” ability to motivate.

In support of him was national team’s bowling coach Bharath Arun, who has himself played a crucial role in India’s recent growth and achievements across all the formats.

Ravi has the ability to give so much confidence to youngsters: Sunil Gavaskar

Addressing a webinar to mark the book launch of 1971: The Beginning of India’’s Cricketing Greatness published by Harper Collins, Sunil Gavaskar said “Just 10-15 minutes with Ravi Shastri after a practice session. You know Ravi has got the ability to give so much confidence to youngsters, it’s unbelievable.”

“If he (Shastri) believes in their ability and talent, there is no better man than Ravi Shastri to give encouragement to that youngster. He will scold you, tell you off but at the same time, he will tell you what you can do to get better, he will actually demonstrate to you,” said Gavaskar.

India’s bowling coach agreed with Gavaskar’s views by saying “Ravi gives tremendous confidence if he believes that someone can deliver. He makes them feel on top of the world which is very important as what you think is what you are.”

The batting icon also praised Bharat Arun, who has groomed a world-class crop of fast bowlers playing in the same era, a rarity in Indian cricket.

“Then you have Bharat. When you talk to some of the seam bowlers who did splendidly during the second half of the Australia tour, they are all full of praise for Bharat as to how he guided them. That’s what these youngsters need to do. Spend as much time as possible with Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun. There are no better persons than these two when you are having self-doubts,” said Gavaskar.

“You need people around you who believe in you and tell you ‘’yes you can do it’’,” the former Indian captain said. “There are times when you feel they are not very confident of themselves and they are having self-doubts, I think those self-doubts are natural in a young man’s life… So sit with people who are confident, believe in your abilities and honestly, this Indian team is so blessed to have the support staff they have,” he concluded.