Mumbai :Ravi Shastri, the man behind the Indian Cricket Team’s one-day international and test series victory defeating Australia, will be seen in a bold, blunt and straight-out conversation with Faye D’souza, Executive Editor, Mirror NOW, on the show ‘The Interview’,airing Friday, March 15, 2019 at 9 PM on Mirror NOW. Addressing Faye’s pointed questions, the ace cricketer, in a candid tell-tale interview opens up on the Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul controversy, Virat Kohli’s aggression and his relationship with former captain MS Dhoni. Furthermore, the former cricket commentator shares his views on current matters related to cricket from“the cricket is doing the talking now” to how he and the cricketers are “not bothered” by the press.
Known for his trademark ‘chapati shots’, the Champion of Champions commented on the recent KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya television show controversy, “Pandya and Rahul, needed the wrap on their knuckles. They would have learnt a lot from what happened, which is good. You are bound to make mistakes and you are bound to be punished at times but that’s not the end of the world. Such experiences just help players to come back stronger, harder and wiser”. Refusing to divulge details on his romantic liaisons during his younger years, Shastri was clear that his priorities lay with the game and you must play and go with the flow. On reports about the BCCI having an issue with women and partners of cricketers traveling with them, Shastri said, “The players know if it is going to affect their performances they will take the decision accordingly. When you see the amount of time they spend away from home, you got to be practical there. But yes, if it is big event like a world cup or a big tournament where you need the boys to be absolutely focused 24X7 then it’s different but otherwise – this day and age you got to be practical and be a little open minded”.
About the differences between Kohli and Dhoni, Shastri was clear that there is immense mutual respect between them and that comes through in the dressing room regardless of whatever the media publishes about them. The former ace cricketer also elaborated on the need for aggression, something he shares with the current captain, as a virtue which is often disguised as intent necessary in today’s tough game. On the Kumble-Kohli rift, Shastri said he was unaware of the issue but he did not consider applying until the second round.
Mirror NOW will air the stirring conversation of Ravi Shastri with Faye D’souza on Friday, March 15 at 9 pm.
