‘You guys have been fantastic, enjoy the moment.’ Ravi Shastri’s post-Gabba speech is what all CEOs should be listening to

A new order in Indian cricket stamped its mark as a young bunch led by Ajinkya Rahane brought Australia crumbling at Brisbane. For the Aussies, it was defeat, coupled with pain and humiliation as India created history by inflicting loss on the hosts who have never lost a Test at the Gabba stadium since 1988.

And acknowledging the rise of the new order and the newer lot of heroes was Team India coach Ravi Shastri. In his post-match speech to the cricketers in the dressing room, the 58-year-old felicitated the team for their collective effort. Like a good manager, and a CEO, he also highlighted some key performances and the men behind it.

At the start of the 3-minute-long speech which has been uploaded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on its website, Shastri did a quick recap of all the negatives that had bogged Team India down Down Under. He recalled the ills - injuries, debacle at Adelaide, motivation, apprehension - that the bunch had overcome to thrash Australia and win the Border-Gavaskar Test series 2-1. While lauding the team’s resilience and spirit, he also appreciated the stupendous effort put in by the youngsters.


He praised Chandigarh boy Shubman Gill for his fluent 91, and called Cheteshwar Pujara “the ultimate warrior” for enduring several blows during his 56 runs in India's second innings. For Shastri, the 23-year-old Pant was "simply outstanding" even though the latter, while staying unbeaten at 89, did create some anxiety with some of his batting shots.

He appreciated Captain Rahane, who had taken on the skipper’s mantle after Virat Kohli returned to India for the birth of his first child, for being able “to lead the side from the position that we were in and to make them bounce back in the middle the way you had, simply superb.”

And like a good corporate leader who is able to take everyone along, Shastri remembered to acknowledge the contribution of the three debutants who gave their best. He showered high praise on R Natarjan, Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur for rallying behind the team when it was needed the most.

But it was not just work. Shastri, who is known to enjoy good rapport with the present team, also urged the team to bask in the glory of the win and “enjoy the moment.”

“Enjoy the moment, lads, enjoy it. These things don't happen every day," Shastri said.

The video shows Shastri addressing the team, positioned in a circle. The coach is flanked by captain Rahane by his side, as he thanks everyone from the players to the masseurs, physio and the ground staff for their support and help.

Some excerpts from his speech:
"Courage, resolve, strength you guys have shown is unreal. Not for once you were down. Injuries, 36 all out, (and still) you had the self-belief in you. This hasn't happened overnight but now you have got that self-belief and you can see where it can take you.

"Today, forget India, the whole world will stand up and salute you. Remember what you guys did today; you need to enjoy this moment. Don't let it go away, enjoy as much as you can. All the debutantes, the support staff, everybody. You have been simply outstanding.

Onwards, and upwards, as Team India get ready to take on England next.