Ravi Shastri, head coach reacted to Ajinkya Rahane-led India‘s victory in the Boxing Day Test, saying the comeback triumph showcased the character of the team bouncing back after the Adelaide debacle without Virat Kohli and said that it is a New Year’s gift to the fans of the sport from India.
India head coach Ravi Shastri is a happy man as the former India cricketer said India’s 8-wicket triumph in the Boxing Day Test against Australia on Tuesday will be regarded as one of the “greatest” comebacks wins in the history of world cricket.
Ravi Shastri: India’s Win At Melbourne Is New Year’s Gift And Is One Of The Greatest Comebacks In Annuls Of Indian And World Cricket
Ravi Shastri replied in his inimitable own style when he was asked what was the chat in the dressing room after India were bundled out for 36 in Adelaide registering their lowest Test score in the process as Australia won the first Test comfortably by 8 wickets before India bounced back winning the next by some margin.
“No chat. When we came to Melbourne, we just said stand up and fight.”
Ravi Shastri said the memorable win over heavyweights Australia that helped the visitors level the series 1-1 after the Adelaide horror is a “New Year’s” gift to millions of India fans who backed the team in the midst of crisis.
The head coach, who was also under considerable pressure and scrutiny after the 1st Test thrashing, gave full credit to Ajinkya Rahane and his team, saying the Test team members showed tremendous composure under pressure to win the Boxing Day Test.
“It’s a great present from the team to millions of supporters to have a very happy new year. This will go down in the annals of Indian and world cricket as one of the greatest comebacks. From being 36 all out to coming back in three days, the boys showed great composure,” Shashtri told the press on Tuesday.
“We were blown away in Adelaide. When you’re blown away, you’re blown away. Against a team like Australia, you have to be good for 5 days, no point being good for just 1 or 2.”
India fielded 2 debutants in Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill and were forced to make as many as 4 changes after Virat Kohli headed back home while pacer Mohammed Shami suffered a fracture in bowling hand in the Adelaide defeat while batting.
Ajinkya Rahane, who stepped in as the stand-in captain in Virat Kohli’s absence, was under pressure to perform with bat as well as he scored 42 and 0 in the two innings of the Adelaide Test. India were written off by experts after the crushing defeat at Adelaide but proved critics wrong as Ajinkya Rahane led the team from the front to help the visitors script a terrific win at MCG.
Ravi Shastri: Two Debutants Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj Showed Great Maturity And Discipline
Ajinkya Rahane scored 112 in 1st innings playing a captain’s knock and was tactically brilliant with his bowling changes and field setting. Under his leadership, both debutants batsman Shubman Gill and pacer Mohammed Siraj stepped up, making crucial and valuable contributions along with the senior members of the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Ravi Shastri praised the two debutants saying they showed maturity and discipline. Opener Shubman Gill scored 45 in the first innings and followed it up with an unbeaten 35 in the second innings.
“That’s the brand of cricket we’ve been playing for 3-4 years. The 2 debutants showed great maturity and discipline. Today Siraj’s effort was outstanding. The maturity he showed for someone playing his first Test was outstanding,” Shastri said.
Mohammed Siraj picked up 5 wickets in debut Test, becoming the first visiting bowler since Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga in 2004 to pick 5 or more on Test debut in Australia.