"Need To Hit India Hard...": Ravi Shastri's Advice To 'Timid' Australia Ahead Of Second Test

16.02.2023 - 18:19 sports.ndtv.com

Australia were in for a rude shock in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India as they lost the match by innings and 132 runs.

What was even more surprising was that the world No. 1 Australia lost the match in less than three days of play. Australia were bowled out for 91 in one session in the first Test.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith showed some fight in an otherwise dismal batting display. Australia are expected to make changes from the Nagpur drubbing, with spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, returning fast bowler Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Cameron Green fighting for a place in the side.

Ahead of the match, former India coach Ravi Shastri gave some advice to the Australians. In a column for Sydney Morning Herald titled 'Timid Australians must get aggressive because India will show no mercy', Shastri wrote: "Save the English manners for the Ashes.

cricket Australia Cricket Team 2023 Test second test Pat Cummins Cameron Green Mitchell Starc Steve Smith Ravi Shastri Matthew Kuhnemann Britain Australia India Delhi

Former coach Ravi Shastri's assertion that the Indian team lost in Indore due to "overconfidence" has been termed "rubbish" by skipper Rohit Sharma, who minced no words while calling him an "outsider". Shastri, who was the Indian team's head coach for six out of seven years from 2014, wouldn't be too amused to find out how it feels when the shoe is on the other foot.

Smith to captain Australia in fourth test as Cummins remains at home

Steve Smith will captain Australia in the fourth and final test against India starting on Thursday as regular captain Pat Cummins remains in Sydney with his family, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Monday.

Steve Smith To Captain Australia In 4th Test vs India, Pat Cummins To Stay Home: Report

Star batter Steve Smith will lead Australia in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as regular captain Pat Cummins has decided not to return to India. According to a report in cricket.com.au, Smith will captain Australia once again, having led the team a morale-boosting nine-wicket win in the third Test in Indore last week. Cummins, who departed the tour following the second Test in Delhi last month, will remain in Sydney where his mother Maria is ill with breast cancer and is in palliative care.

"Over-Eagerness To Try...": Ravi Shastri's Scathing Attack On India After Defeat To Australia

Eyeing a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, India were humbled by Australia in the third Test on Friday in Indore. Chasing a modest target of 76, Australia crossed the finishing line with ease, despite losing a wicket on the second ball of play on Day 3. Travis Head scored a quickfire 49, while Marnus Labuschagne hit the winning boundary to remain unbeaten on 28. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who is on commentary duty for the ongoing series, slammed the team after the defeat, saying that the hosts "took things for granted", allowing the game to slip away from their grasp.

Travis Head eases Australia to rare Test win in India

Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne held their nerve on a viciously turning Indore pitch to guide Australia to a nine-wicket victory Friday and only their second Test win in India since 2004.