Debasis Sen, Galle: It has almost been like a family re-union for Team India Coach Ravi Shastri, ever since he joined Virat Kohli and his team. Shastri, who took over the demanding role after Anil Kumble’s acrimonious exit last month, will be on a mission and that is to see the Men in Blue remaining the top test playing nation in the world.
For the 55 year old, it was back to business on Monday as he got the boys in a huddle at the Galle International Stadium, before giving them a pep talk. It was his first interaction with the players together after being appointed the coach. He did talk to them individually, but this was his first briefing to the team as a unit.
It was at this particular venue that the Indian team went down fighting in the first test match of the three match series at Galle in 2015. But a motivating speech after the loss made a huge difference to the squad for future. India came back strongly to win the test series here in Lanka after 23 yrs.
The players looked very relaxed during the practice under someone who they reckon was more as an elder brother than coach. Just a month back in England there were gloomy faces all over the team, with the captain keeping distances with the coach. But such thoughts are blown out of the winds in this current Indian team with Kohli and Shastri striking a good rapport once again. The Captain seems to be the most relaxed as was evident during the start of the practice when he was showing a few dance steps to Shikhar Dhawan.
The former Team India Director is a straight forward individual who knows what the job of his players are.
“They know their job. They are professional cricketers. Once they step on the field they take over. That is how it should be. My role will be to get the guys (to) express themselves and play (a) fearless brand of cricket,” said Shastri
India should start as overwhelming favourites against the hosts who are ranked as low as seventh in the ICC Test rankings. Barring the illness of KL Rahul (down with viral fever), everyone in the team is fit and is raring to go. In the absence of Rahul, Abhinav Mukund will get a chance to open the batting with Dhawan. India could start with three spinners and use left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav with the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Hosts Sri Lanka, will be dogged by the absence of their new Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal who has been ruled out through flu. Stand in skipper Rangana Herath will need all the experience to inspire the side. The left-arm spinner, who took 11 wickets against Zimbabwe and his 31st five-wicket haul in 81 Tests, is key for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s pace lineup has been bolstered by the return of veteran Nuwan Pradeep, who is likely to start at Galle International Stadium. Dhananjaya de Silva adds muscle to their strong batting arsenal, comprising former captain Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella.