Former India coach Ravi Shastri is confident that Virat Kohli’s average of nearly 50 in Tests against Australia will spur him on and getting started in the first few innings would spell doom for the Australians. “His (Kohli’s) record against Australia would spur him on. He would be charged and want to start well. You have to look at his first two innings. If he gets off to a good start he would be an eyesore for Aussies. They would certainly don’t want this to happen,” Shastri said in an interaction facilitated by Star Sports.
“Kohli has an average of just under 50 against Australia. Amazing record, that should really get him started.”
Shastri believed India should keep their 12 ready with Shubman Gill in the scheme of things and then decide to look at track conditions. He doesn’t want Suryakumar Yadav to be banned from the playing XI as a quick 40 on a rank turner from him could be a potential game changer.
“Tough choice. You have to choose the best player for that position (No. 5). Surya is a player who will be proactive and want to rotate the attack.
“If you want to do well in India you have to alternate the stroke and don’t let bowlers bowl you. Blocking won’t help. A quick 30 or 40 could decide the fate of the game. He (Surya) can get (the runs ) quickly and upset the opposition. India would have to defend itself to win by a two-game margin,” said Shastri, an 80 Tests veteran.
Better keeper vs spinner should get kinks
The absence of Rishabh Pant would really hurt India and Shastri admitted that it would be difficult to pick a better batsman in Ishan Kishan or a relatively safer keeper in Kona Bharat.
“That’s a tough decision for India. That’s how important Pant is. He ticked all the boxes. Not only did his goalkeeping improve, but he could also get under the opponent’s skin. As a batsman, he’s so dangerous. Pant has played more matches .” -winning hits than any of our top five hitters in recent times. So it’s such a big blow.”
Regarding the choice between Kishan and Bharat, Shastri said, “When the field turns, the better goalkeeper has to play. For Jadeja, Kuldeep and Ashwin, they need a good goalkeeper behind stumps. Now it’s up to you, who will? thinks it’s a better keeper.”
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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