Consistency will be key against South Africa: Ravi Shastri

Consistency will be key against South Africa: Ravi Shastri: Indian team director Ravi Shastri feels patience and consistency in performances will be essential if India are to better the visiting South African side in the upcoming tour. Shastri, who recently had his role with the Indian team extended until the 2016 T20 World Cup, acknowledged that in spite of India’s dominance at home over the years, they will have their work cut out against the Proteas.

“South Africa are the No. 1 team in the world, We have to play consistent cricket for long periods of time to put them under pressure. That will be the endeavour. Our style of play will not change. If you reflect on our performances in Australia and Sri Lanka, you will see that consistency was the difference between defeat and victory. Sustained brilliance will be the key against the Proteas” Shastri told bcci.tv. In the interview he opened up on Ishant Sharma’s aggression, R Ashwin’s brilliance and the constantly changing batting order.

India lost the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Galle from a commanding position and the former India allrounder warned that they can’t afford the same mistake to happen again. “And that – not letting the opposition off the hook after having them under pressure – demands a lot of patience. We weren’t patient enough both in Australia and during the first Test in Sri Lanka. Once the patience and discipline came, in the next two Tests, we saw the results,” Shastri said.

While Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra were the standout bowlers for India in the 2-1 Test series victory over Sri Lanka, Ishant Sharma put in an inspired performance picking up eight wickets in the third Test at Colombo. However, he will miss the first Test against South Africa after being charged by the ICC for a breach of the Code of Conduct in the last two Tests.

“I know he (Ishant) has copped a lot of flak over the aggression and he will learn where to draw a line. But let me assure you, he has the backing of the entire team. I want him to be aggressive and I will be the first one to push him in that direction. But I will also mark the line. We will miss him for the first Test. He is our most experienced fast bowler” Shastri opined.

The team India director also praised R Ashwin for his performance in Sri Lanka and called him the best off-spinner in world at the moment. “For me Ashwin is the best off-spinner in the world at the moment. Nathan Lyon is a very good off-spinner but the variety this man can bring to the plate is unreal. The biggest testament to Ashwin’s brilliance was the way he bowled to Sangakkara. To stifle a class batsman like Sanga in his crease four times in a row was the mark of a world-class spinner who has realized that he is a world-class spinner,” Shastri said.

He termed the job of India cricket team director as the most challenging and satisfying. “It has given me immense job satisfaction. It has been the biggest challenge for me in all the years I have been involved in the game in whatever capacity. My willingness and desire to carry on in this role stems from the fact that I have got a great team with me – a great bunch of players and an amazing support staff,” said the former India all-rounder.

India’s batting order has been a topic of debate of late, especially after Ajinkya Rahane was promoted to the No.3 position. Shastri said, “That is the first sign of a good side in the making, where, in spite of injuries, you are prepared to be flexible. It is very clear within this team that no one owns any batting position, that you will do things according to the demands of the team and you will do it willingly. That has come across beautifully with each player”.

India and South Africa square off for the first time in a four-Test series, in addition to playing five ODIs and three T20s. The tour begins with a T20 International match at Dharamsala on October 2.