The Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri was a happy man after India ’s nail-biting victory in the series opener of the four-match series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Monday. Chasing the improbable target of 323, India broke through a late resistance from the hosts’ lower order and bowled them out on 291 for a 31-run win.
It was India’s sixth Test win on Australian soil and the first time that they began a series Down Under with a favorable result. Kohli thus became the fourth Indian skipper to win a Test match in the country after Bishan Singh Bedi, Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, and Anil Kumble.
During the post-match interview with the broadcasting channel in India, Shastri was sounding immensely satisfied with the efforts of the Indian bowlers. He said, “Very very happy with this win. It was a tough, tough Test match. The boys were disciplined and they stuck to their task. We lost in England by 31 runs, we lost a close first match in South Africa by around 60 runs but this is a very good win, feels really good. There’s a belief in the team when you get off to a good start.”
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However, Shastri tried to be a bit cheeky when Sunil Gavaskar congratulated him on the victory and also informed him about the #ChoddnaMat being used in the Sony promo in India. The Indian coach had a tongue in his cheek moment when he said, “Sach kahe to last mein goti muh mein aa gaye the (To be honest, we almost had balls in our mouth).”
Here is the video of the same:
https://twitter.com/videos_shots/status/1072057983666778112
After winning a good toss on Day 1, the Indian skipper decided to bat first, but their batsmen were slipped to 127/6 before Cheteshwar Pujara’s superlative century bailed them out and to a decent total of 250 runs in the first innings. A series of poor shot selection was the hallmark of the batting collapse and Shastri pointed it out saying their batsmen played “foolish cricket” but quickly rectified in their second innings.
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The second Test start’s in four days and Shastri reckoned that the pacers will be resting during the short-break in order to be match-ready for Perth. He explained, “They’ll have to rest (and be fully fit for Perth. There’s plenty on offer for the fast bowlers but they’ll have to be at their best. The pacers were brilliant in the first innings, something they’ve worked on. As a bowling unit when you show such kind of discipline, you can put any side under pressure.”
While Rishabh Pant made headlines as he equaled the world record of taking most number of catches as a wicket-keeper in Tests and he was even seen chirping that even saw the host broadcaster turning off the commentary for an over, his batting has drawn severe criticism. Despite India struggling, Pant hasn’t shied away from playing the natural attacking game that has often seen him throwing away his wicket.
Shastri came to his defense as he said, “You have to allow him to play his [natural] game. He has to be a bit sensible and smart now. If he makes a mistake I’ll be in his ears.”
Here are some of the reactions Shastri received for his ‘balls in mouth’ comment:
https://twitter.com/its_tabrez_/status/1072026697669718016
Shastri summed up his coaching tenure perfectly. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/tAiD2g8Sic
— Yashodhan Deshmukh (@mech_sense) December 10, 2018
Shastri’s ‘sham Tak….’ moment on TV. #AusviND https://t.co/n3VuEcCBig
— Keg Before Wicket (@kegbeforewicket) December 10, 2018
"Thodi der ke liye goti mooh mein aa gaya tha!"
– Ravi Shastri on the thrilling win in the first #AusvInd Test.
– Broadcasters two seconds later, wondering if they just had a great TV moment or they'll be hit by India's favourite pastime of "What'll we outrage about today?"
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) December 10, 2018
When you propose your crush and she doesnt respond. https://t.co/8wcKXDv2kE
— Dhakkan Rice (@Sahil_Adhikaari) December 10, 2018
Next time when Ravi Shastri comes on air,
Broadcasting crew: 'Thodi der ke liye goti muh me tha' #AUSvIND
— Mathew Varghese (@mathaijv) December 10, 2018
I am reliably informed that Shastri has described (on Sony's broadcast) the nervous feeling of watching the end of this Test as like having his "balls in his mouth". I believe it's a saying. #AUSvIND
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) December 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/_thatUtsavOjha/status/1072005119829401601
https://twitter.com/adi_iyr/status/1072004290842107905
"Thodi der ke liye goti mooh may tha!"
Ravi Shastri being #EliteHonest #AUSvIND
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 10, 2018
I cannot believe Ravi Shastri actually said "thodi der ke liye goti mooh mein tha " on national television!
🤣— Anu Menon (@ExLolaKutty) December 10, 2018
Did Ravi Shastri just say 'thodi der ke liye Gota Muh mei tha' on national TV.
Oh yes he did.— Abijit Ganguly (@AbijitG) December 10, 2018
