Walking the fine line of diplomacy, star India batsman Rohit Sharma has said that while the team would miss former director Ravi Shastri, it would also be inspired by the new coach Anil Kumble.
“He (Shastri) took up the responsibility when we were in (a) shambles, but Kumble’s thinking about the game is so different from the rest… It just amazes you… the kind of stuff he talks about and what he brings to the table is absolutely brilliant,” Rohit said at a recent event.
Shastri managed the team for 18 months before making way for the new coach Kumble this past week.
“As soon as he came, he created a positive atmosphere around us,” Rohit added on Shastri.
Rohit also has some experience of working with Kumble as part of Mumbai Indians, of whom the legendary leg-spinner was mentor.
“I have two years of experience at Mumbai Indians and I know the kind of things we spoke about. I was the captain and he was the coach and mentor of the team. I got to learn a lot from him,” said Rohit.
On Kumble's attitude, he said, “You have to keep fighting no matter what. If the game is slipping away from your hands, don’t give up till the last ball is bowled. That’s how he played his cricket. You will get the feeling that he was someone who wouldn’t let go too easily. That’s the kind of message that he wanted to send across. That’s the kind of message we also want as young players. He’s very inspiring,” he said.
Rohit also played down the constant criticism that India, during Shastri's tenure, produced 'doctored' pitches at home.
“Firstly, I don’t understand why there was so much of an issue made with the conditions. It’s the home conditions, we have to use it. As a group, we all sat down and decided what we were going to do with the pitches… All we wanted was to get results. We knew that the South African team lacked in their spin department and we had a gem of a spin attack. We wanted to use that,” he added.
