Former India coach Ravi Shastri – now as soon as once more a reputed commentator – has posted an image on social media with a person whom he described because the “heartbeat of the Indian cricket staff”. However, the person with him is not a star cricketer like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, and even the coach Gautam Gambhir. In truth, it’s a much less acquainted title, within the type of Team India’s underrated throwdown specialist, Raghuvendra Dwivedi – extra fondly acknowledged as ‘Raghu’ by gamers, coaches and followers of the staff.
“Always good to see the Man Friday and the heartbeat of the Indian Cricket staff – Raghu,” Shastri posted on X, earlier than the beginning of India’s second Test in opposition to Bangladesh at Kanpur.
Raghavendra Dwivedi has been part of Team India’s arrange since 2011, when he joined following on from a stint on the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Always good to see the Man Friday and the heartbeat of the Indian Cricket staff – Raghu pic.twitter.com/DkT95qODhP
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) September 27, 2024
Shastri described Raghu as ‘Man Friday’, referring to the well-known character named ‘Friday’ from the ebook ‘Robinson Crusoe’ by Daniel Defoe. Here, it refers to a devoted assistant.
Raghu has been an integral a part of Team India’s backroom workers and coaching classes over 13 years. In truth, Virat Kohli additionally singled him out for reward earlier than, in 2020.
“I consider the advance this staff has proven whereas taking part in quick bowling since 2013 has been due to Raghu,” Kohli had mentioned, whereas on a dwell session with former Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal.
“He has good ideas about footwork, bat motion of gamers. He has improved his abilities a lot that from sidearm he simply hurls the balls at 155 kmph,” Kohli had added.
India beat Bangladesh by a thumping 280 runs within the first Test in Chennai, and can be aiming to finish a 2-0 sweep in Kanpur, in addition to additional strengthening their place on high of the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle 2023-25 desk.
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