Shastri: India's Advantage in Boxing Day Test Due to Australia's Fragile Batting

New Delhi, Dec 25 (NationPress) Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Australia’s fragile batting order puts India in a favorable position ahead of the Boxing Day Test, which is set to commence at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.

The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series stands level at 1-1. "In my opinion, the Australian batting lineup has been notably brittle. It’s been quite some time since I have observed an Australian batting order that appears so vulnerable. India has taken full advantage of this situation and continues to do so,” Shastri mentioned to news.com.au.

“I anticipate a thrilling match ahead. Given the current state of the series, I believe India is well-positioned. An overseas team tied at 1-1, especially with matches in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, would consider this scenario highly favorable. Entering Boxing Day with a 1-1 tie is ideal. Therefore, I would argue that India has the upper hand,” Shastri added.

He also commented on Sam Konstas, who is poised to make his Test debut at the MCG, succeeding Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped after underwhelming performances in the initial three matches. The primary challenge for young Konstas will be facing Jasprit Bumrah, who is currently the leading wicket-taker with 21 wickets.

"India is 1-1 in the series, and Bumrah has played a crucial role in this position. Regarding Konstas, I find him quite refreshing. He brings flair and flamboyance. However, Test cricket demands a different approach. I believe his technique will mature, and he has the potential to become a key player for Australia in the future.

"McSweeney was unfortunate, as he put in significant effort, but he is a middle-order batsman. I see him making a trip to Sri Lanka with the Australian team to rebuild his career. Nevertheless, I think bringing in Konstas is a wise decision because Australia needs someone who can challenge the Indian team aggressively, especially after facing unexpected hits,” Shastri stated.

He further expressed confidence that India could clinch their third consecutive Test series victory in Australia, having previously won in 2018/19 and 2020/21. "This would be monumental. No team has achieved this feat in a long time. Australia typically dominates visiting teams. For India to accomplish three consecutive wins would be remarkable.”

“However, they must play exceptional cricket. I expect Australia to come out strong in this Test match, particularly with their bowling attack. The real test for Australia lies within their batting, more than anything else. India has come with the intent to win, not just to participate.”

"During my tenure as coach, our philosophy was to play intensely, fairly, and always strive for victory. You need to devise a strategy to overcome Australia rather than merely competing. Proper planning is essential to secure those 20 wickets. India has executed this well and has been notably aggressive.

"They have confronted Australia head-on, matching their intensity. It’s been captivating and competitive. India currently holds the advantage. I believe the outcome of the first day of the Boxing Day Test will be pivotal in determining the direction of the series,” Shastri concluded.

Following the unexpected international retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, Shastri remarked that he anticipates new additions to the Indian batting lineup soon. “In the batting arena, I foresee a few fresh faces emerging over the next couple of years. Jaiswal is young, Shubman Gill is still quite young, and Rishabh Pant remains youthful as well. There are several other players in the pipeline who could break into the team shortly.”