Pat Cummins on Kohli, ICC trolls Pakistan fans and more - Cricket News Today, 19th November 2018

#3 Ravi Shastri stresses on quality of game over sledging

Australia were always known to follow the "mental disintegration" pattern of Steve Waugh, which included competitive cricket with a liberal helping of sledging too, to win games. But following the infamous "sandpaper gate" scandal, critics lashed out at the attitude to win at all costs, and that has resulted in a mellowed-down approach by the side, ever since.

Ravi Shastri, the current Indian coach, is aware of all this, but still believes that even if so, it's the quality of game that wins matches more than any amount of sledging. Shastri also said that the team playing a better game will win the series, irrespective of all other interactions.

"At the end of the day, it's the cricket that talks. I didn't care if a McGrath or a Warne did say something or didn't say something, they would have still taken wickets. It's as simple as that. When you can do what you are good at and do it consistently, it doesn't matter, which side you are playing for. That cricketer will do well and so will the team," he said while speaking with the media in the opening interactive session ahead of the tour.