India vs Australia Live Score: India have their ‘nostril forward’
Former coach Ravi Shastri has expressed confidence in India’s probabilities of successful the Boxing Day Test, stating that the guests have capitalized on Australia’s “brittle” high order to acquire the higher hand within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shastri credited Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah for conserving the series degree at 1-1, calling him “almost single-handedly” chargeable for India’s place.
“I think India would take this, the way the series is poised. Any overseas team being 1-1, especially with the games being in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, they would take this.
“Going 1-1 into Boxing Day is the very best case state of affairs. I might say India have their nostril forward,” Shastri told news.com.au.
Australia’s top-order batsmen, including Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, and Marnus Labuschagne, have struggled against Bumrah’s brilliance. This vulnerability has led to the inclusion of teenage sensation Sam Konstas, with rookie opener McSweeney being dropped.
“It’s been fairly brittle. When you look at this Australian line-up, it has been a very long time since I’ve seen an Australian line-up the place the highest order is that brittle. India have exploited that and proceed to exploit it,” Shastri said.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has also found runs hard to come by, and in the past year, key Australian batters like Labuschagne, Marsh, Khawaja, and Steve Smith have averaged under 30 in Test cricket.
“India is 1-1 within the series, and that man (Bumrah) has nearly single-handedly bought India into that place,” Shastri remarked.
Shastri also commented on Konstas’s potential, calling him a promising talent.
“As far as Konstas goes, I believe he is very refreshing. He’s bought aptitude, he is bought flamboyance. But Test cricket is Test cricket. His method will tighten up, and he would be the future for Australia.”
Regarding McSweeney’s axing, Shastri expressed sympathy for the young batter.
“McSweeney was very unlucky. He did the onerous yards, however he is a center-order batsman. I see him touring to Sri Lanka when the Australian staff go there and rebuild his profession from there.
“But I think it’s a good move getting Konstas in because you need someone who can take the attack to the Indian team because the punches were coming from nowhere.”
India, having gained their final two series in Australia, now have the possibility to grow to be solely the third touring facet to declare three consecutive series wins Down Under, becoming a member of the ranks of the West Indies (1984/85, 1988/89, 1992/93 ) and South Africa (2008/09, 2012/13, 2016/17).
“Massive. No team has done that in a long time. Australia hammers sides when they come here. For India to pull off three on the trot will be something special.
“But they’re going to have to play good cricket. I see Australia coming onerous on this Test match, particularly with the bowlers. It’s the batting that’ll be the problem for Australia greater than anything.”
Shastri feels India has come to Australia with a strong intent to win.
“India have come right here to win, they have not come right here to fill within the numbers. Even after I was the coach, our mantra was to play extraordinarily onerous, honest and to win.
“You have to think of a method to beat Australia and not just compete. You’ve got to plan properly, how to take your 20 wickets. India have done that and been very aggressive.
“They’ve been within the face of Australia and provides pretty much as good as they get. It’s been entertaining and feisty stuff. The first day of the Boxing Day Test will decide which manner the series will go,” he added.
