Johannesburg: Former India captain Ravi Shastri, a man of many parts who today is with the International Cricket Council as well, spoke to The Telegraph on Sunday afternoon.

Known to talk straight, he did just that

The following are excerpts

Q You’ve served as a stand-in cricket manager/coach of the Indian team. Would you have communicated with the players in writing on, among other things, sex and its link with on-field performances?

A Look, (present coach) Gary Kirsten has denied any role in circulating a document...

He has. However, would you have put something which isn’t openly discussed in India, in writing, as has been done by mental conditioning expert Paddy Upton?

When I was playing, I didn’t even think about it... It happened... I didn’t need anybody to tell me either what to do or what not to do after a day’s play... It was my business and I knew exactly what to do.

But you haven’t answered the question...

Each one has his own way of saying and doing things... I wouldn’t need to put anything down on paper, I’d just go to the player and tell him what needed to be told... What’s said in the dressing room must, in my view, not go beyond its walls. I don’t see why such an issue has been made.

You had a playboy image, didn’t you?

(Interrupting) Who is a playboy?

Certainly one with women hanging from his arms...

Thank God that they were women, not men!

You’ve said “it happened”. From your experience, then, is there actually a connection between sex and delivering on the field?

That’s a very personal question. Why don’t you see my record? You’ll get the answer in those facts and figures... I did what I did.

Do cricketers need to be wary of certain off-field distractions?

A professional should know what’s good for him and what could be a distraction. He doesn’t need to be told.

The final one: Your thoughts on the studies to establish a link between sex and on-field performances...

(Amused) Why get into studies and research? Where I’m concerned, a good player will remain a good player... Such studies could continue for the next 20 years or so... Let me know if anything conclusive is reached.