INDIAN CRICKET

Ravi Shastri believes that India can lift the Test mace against Australia

Ravi Shastri

Former India head coach and player, Ravi Shastri has shown great belief in the current Indian team who have gone to play in the WTC final.

Both India and Australia are preparing themselves for the marquee event and will be eager to lift the coveted Test mace.

While India has faced their fair share of problems playing on lively pitches, Shastri has claimed that the current Indian outfit will do its best against Australia.

Meanwhile, many former cricketers and experts are backing Australia to win this contest, but Shastri says that India has the firepower to win the mace.

You have to compete. Sometimes, you need a little bit of luck going your way as well. I won’t say we didn’t play good cricket. We have played very good cricket. The rub of green hasn’t quite gone their way. I always say this team is good enough to win an ICC trophy. When I was there, I used to say the same thing… especially in last 3-4 years, I thought the team was good enough to win an ICC trophy. Those players are still there.

Moreover, Shastri has also stated that if Australia gets even one bad day during this one-off Test, they will be on the back foot straight away.

Everyone’s saying Australia are clear favorites because we are playing in England. But it’s a one-off Test, just one bad day can ruin your chances. Australia also need to be very careful.

Ravi Shastri talks about wicketkeeper issues plaguing India

Meanwhile, the former head coach has also pointed out the issue of who will keep the wickets for India in this important Test.

India has two options in Ishan Kishan and KS Bharat who can get their chance in the playing XI according to the number of bowlers.

If India decides to go in with four pacers and one spinner, then Kishan will be drafted into the playing XI. But, if India plays two spinners, then Bharat will get the chance from the team management.

Says Shastri,

I have a feeling that India might just go with depending on who’s playing- two spinners are playing, maybe KS Bharat. But if there are four seamers and one spinner, then it will go the other way, it might go Ishan Kishan’s way. Six will be Jadeja; seven will be Mohammed Shami; eight will be Mohammed Siraj; nine will be Shardul Thakur. 11 will be Ravichandran Ashwin, and 12 will be Umesh Yadav.

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