Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has offered his perspective on the ongoing India-Australia Test series. Shastri, who oversaw India’s historic Test series wins in Australia in 2017-18 and 2020-21, believes Rohit Sharma should return to his opening position.
Shastri was the team director during India’s first-ever Test series victory in Australia and the head coach during their second triumph. He suggests that Rohit’s optimal batting position is as an opener.
India lost the second Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets. This defeat leveled the five-match series at 1-1. Shastri believes the third Test will be pivotal.
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“That’s where he’s (Rohit) been at his best over the last eight or nine years,” Shastri was quoted as saying by ‘The Age’.
“It’s not that he’s going to set the world on fire – he could – but that’s the place that’s best for him…If he has to do damage, if he has to throw the first punch, that’s the best place from where he can do it.”
Prior to the second Test, Rohit had only one fifty in his last ten innings. Interestingly, Shastri had initially advised against changing the opening combination of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul.
He also supported the idea of Rohit batting in the middle order at that time. Shastri now firmly believes that the winner of the third Test, commencing on Saturday, will likely win the series.
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“I feel whichever team wins this Test match will win the series. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind. So it is very, very important that India get the balance right, because Australia have got the confidence back.”
Shastri highlighted the importance of India finding the right balance, especially considering Australia’s regained confidence. He spoke at the first annual Usman Khawaja Foundation lunch at the Gabba.
He reflected on India’s 2021 series win, considering it one of the greatest achievements in Indian cricket history. He emphasized the team’s unity amidst COVID-19 restrictions as a key factor in their success.
“In COVID, the first Test match you start with five bowlers and the same five bowlers don’t play the last Test. That says it all, it’s like Australia playing without these five bowlers in the last Test of the series, it’s a different ball game. Plus you didn’t have quite a few batsmen as well. So it’s a tribute to the players.”
Shastri praised the players for their resilience and performance under challenging circumstances. He acknowledged the limitations of a coach’s role and emphasized the players’ contribution to the victory.
“You can only do so much as a coach from behind the scenes. At the end of it, it’s the players who have to go out there and do their job and they were magnificent.”
India suffered a heavy defeat in Adelaide on the last tour, being bowled out for their lowest ever Test score of 36. However, they made a remarkable comeback to win the series. Shastri recalled a conversation between Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill during the final Test at the Gabba.
“I’ll never forget it,” Shastri said.
“Last session, 140 runs to get. We had two different change rooms because of COVID. I went down from the coaches’ room to have a chat with either Rishabh or (Chateshwar) Pujara. When I was about to reach the toilet, I heard a conversation between Gill and Pant.
“Seventy-one overs bowled, Gill had got out for 91, and they were the two youngest players in the side, 21 and 22. ‘Nine overs left, they need the new ball, they’ll bring (Marnus) Labuschagne on with his leg spin, you’ve got to score 45-50 runs there’.
“They are planning how they can reach closer to the end score, and no way was I going to stop them, I don’t want to change that mindset. So I just walked past and said ‘do what you have to do’. In the end, we chased down nearly 150 in that last session.”
