Former India coach Ravi Shastri expressed his frustration as the Indian team struggled against Australia on the green-top Oval track in the World Test Championship final. With the exception of Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, and Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian batters failed to find their footing against the strong Australian attack.
The top order, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara, faltered with a mere 71 runs among them, resulting in India losing four wickets in just 18.2 overs. Following the top-order collapse, Shastri took a direct dig at the Indian batters and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), highlighting their involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
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Despite their recent success in the IPL, the Indian batters struggled to replicate their white-ball form in the traditional format, much to Shastri’s disappointment. In an interview with Star Sports, he emphasized the need for players to prioritize national duty over franchise cricket. Shastri called on the BCCI to establish a clause in IPL contracts, allowing the national team to withdraw players when necessary for the benefit of Indian cricket.
“You must set your priorities, right? What is the priority? India or franchise cricket? You have to decide that. If you say franchise cricket, then forget this (WTC final). If this is important, then as the custodian of the sport, the BCCI are the bosses,” Ravi Shastri expressed.
Shastri had previously raised concerns about workload management and player form during the IPL season, urging the Indian players selected for the WTC final to approach the tournament with caution. He also called for the BCCI and selectors to communicate with the franchises to prioritize the needs of the national team.
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As the WTC final unfolds, India faces a daunting task of overcoming Australia’s dominance. Shastri’s remarks shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding the clash between international commitments and franchise cricket, urging players and administrators to make collective decisions in the best interest of Indian cricket.
