If Ravichandran Ashwin has the brain of an astronaut, then Ishant Sharma is Rajinikanth

After his role as the Team Director of the Indian Cricket Team was extended to the 2016 T20 World Cup, Ravi Shastri spoke to _BCCI.tv_ about how this has been his most challenging task in his cricket career. Among other things, he also praised Ravichandran Ashwin, saying he is best off-spinner in the world at the moment. “Ashwin was amazing in Sri Lanka. And that’s because he was patient and relaxed. For him to understand his own bowling and what the team needs off him was the need of the hour. And I think he has realized that,” Shastri said. [caption id=“attachment_2435596” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Ravichandran Ashwin. Getty[/caption] Then he added, as only Ravi Shastri can: “We know he has got the brain of an astronaut. He has combined that intelligence with calmness and patience now. That bodes well for us because now the astronaut’s mind is helping Team India take flight.” Ashwin has got the brain of an astronaut. The comparison got us thinking. What kind of brains might some of the other cricketers in the team have from Shastri’s perspective? So we put together a short list that we hope will might help Shastri out in future interviews when he wants to get his point across in a picturesque way. Ajinkya Rahane has the brain of an elevator-operator [caption id=“attachment_2435592” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Ajinkya Rahane. Getty Images[/caption] In one-dayers, you can ask Rahane to open the innings one day and bat in the middle order the next, and he will. In Tests, you can ask Rahane to bat at No. 5 in one match and then move to No. 3 in the next so that Rohit Sharma can bat at No 5, and he will. Yet he keeps making runs regardless because his mind can handle going up and down and down and up - just like riding an elevator all day. Stuart Binny has the brain of a para-trooper [caption id=“attachment_2435600” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Stuart Binny. Getty Images[/caption] Crisis in the middle of the tour? Is India a bowler short because of injury to their front-line players or lack of form? Stuart Binny is happy to fly in and drop straight into action. Ishant Sharma has the brain of Rajinikanth [caption id=“attachment_2435594” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Ishant Sharma. Getty Images.[/caption] Well, at least a part of it. Ishant, over the last few years has been told again and again that he should be the spearhead of the Indian attack now that Zaheer Khan’s international career appears to be over. But he simply refuses. “When I am bowling, I am a bowler and not leader of the attack. That’s a simple thing. I don’t think all these things, to be honest, when I am bowling.” In this respect, he follows a well known Tamil film star who goes by the name of Rajinikanth. After years and years of attempted persuasion from his fans and well-wishers, Rajinikanth continues to stay away from accepting a leadership role in politics. Mahendra Singh has the brain of James Bond [caption id=“attachment_2435612” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Getty Images.[/caption] Is there anything that would make Dhoni look agitated or perturbed on a cricket field? The World Cup might be on the line with Misbah-ul-Haq in great touch – but Dhoni wouldn’t skip a hearbeat and hand the ball to Joginder Sharma. The man stays calm, classy under the most stressful of situations. Just like James Bond (played by Pierce Brosnan) in World is not enough. In an adrenaline filled action sequence where Bond’s speedboat capsizes in River Thames, Brosnan has the audacity to adjust his tie while still underwater. How cool is that? And you know what else they say about cool guys – they don’t look at explosions. The world might be on fire, but they just keep walking away. The flames are hot but their heart is chilled. They keep struttin’, in slow motion, because the more you ignore it, the cooler you look. So go the lyrics of The Lonely Island’s song – Cool guys don’t look at explosions. Fits like a ‘T’ to MS Dhoni. Virat Kohli is the Luke Skywalker to Ravi Shastri’s Obi-wan Kenobi [caption id=“attachment_2435604” align=“aligncenter” width=“825”]  Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. Getty Images[/caption] “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together.” “Use the force, Luke.” Aggression - Indian cricket’s new buzzword. Force - a synonym for aggression. Virat Kohli - A young leader under the stewardship of the eloquent Ravi Shastri. So what are your suggestions? Wear your Ravi Shastri hat on and let us know — how do the brains of other Indian cricketers work? Leave your comments here or tweet to us @FirstpostSports.