NEW DELHI: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has identified poor shot selection around the middle session on the final day as the key reason for India’s loss in the Boxing Day Test, which also weakened their hold on the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
While avoiding specific names, Shastri pointed out that the dismissals of “two senior players and a youngster” would be subject to detailed analysis.
In his column for The Daily Telegraph, Shastri wrote: “It was amazing to see the Indian crowds having travelled from all parts of the globe to come and experience Test cricket at its best at the ‘G.”
He continued: “Unfortunately for them, some poor shot selection on either side of the middle session on the final day cost India the game. And probably has ensured that India may have lost their grip on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with one Test to go.”
The performances of captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test have drawn criticism, as Australia secured a 184-run victory to lead 2-1 in the series.
To retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Team India needs a victory in the Sydney Test, while Australia can reclaim the trophy for the first time since 2014-15 with either a draw or win.
The technical and mental difficulties faced by Rohit and Kohli, coupled with Pant’s poorly executed pull shot to long-on, led to a significant collapse in the second innings.
“There will be a few other second-innings dismissals that will be scrutinised in India as well, involving two senior players and a youngster. Three very loose shots,” Shastri observed.
The contrasting captaincy performances were notable, with Pat Cummins, who earned the player of the match award, showing excellence while Rohit struggled considerably.
“It doesn’t help when one of it involved the captain who is struggling. Also doesn’t help when Cummins raises his game to a scale of 8 or 9 when up against his counterpart, who is at the opposite end of the scale,” Shastri concluded.
