While everyone is praising the no.1 ranked Test and ODI batsman Virat Kohli for his batting, the Indian skipper has been recently criticised for his aggressive behaviour on the field. However, the Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has defended captain’s behaviour and claimed that he is an absolute gentleman.
In the ongoing four-match Test series on the Australian soil, the Indian skipper Kohli has been criticised severally for his aggressive behaviour. However, Shastri has found no problem with his behaviour and calls him an absolute gentleman.
Shastri said, “He was fantastic. What is wrong with his behaviour? Of course, you can question but as far as we are concerned, he is an absolute gentleman.”
Recently, the legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar and the other former cricketers have questioned the role of the team management after India lost against Australia by 146 runs during the Perth Test.
In reply to this criticism, Shastri said, “When you are millions of miles away, it is very easy to fire blanks. Their comments are too far away and we are in the Southern hemisphere. We have to do what’s best for the team, as simple as that.”
Also read: Darren Lehmann: Neither Kohli Nor Tim Paine Crossed The Line
During the Perth Test, Indian senior pacer Ishant Sharma and the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja were involved in the on-field spat. It seemed like Ishant was not happy on Jadeja’s some on-field action.
When Shastri was asked about that, he replied, “I am never surprised (by such coverage). I love coverage, bring it on, as simple as that. In many ways, it can inspire a team to come together and let us hope it does.”
Also read: Sunil Gavaskar Is Unhappy With Indian Team Management
Talking about the present fitness status in the team, Shastri claimed that Ravindra Jadeja’s fitness issue is an only headache at present.
The Indian coach claimed, “Apart from Jadeja, I don’t think there was any other selection dilemma and if there was, it is not my problem.”
Also read: Shastri Reveals Ravindra Jadeja’s Injury That Forced Him To Miss Perth Test
Shastri admitted that the Indian top-order problems are the big concern of the team. Especially, both the openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul have hugely disappointed with their batting performances in this series. At the end of the first two Tests of the series, the openers have just scored 97 runs in overall with the average of just 12.12. While Rahul has scored 48 runs in this series (average 12), Vijay has scored just one run more of him (49 runs with the average of 12.25).
Backing both the openers, Shastri said, “Top-order problems are a big concern, that’s obvious. Responsibility and accountability has to be taken by the top order. I am sure they have got the experience and exposure over the last few years to get out there and deliver.”
Also read: Virat Kohli Feels The Openers Should Take More Responsibilities
As the young Prithvi Shaw has been ruled out from the remaining Test series due to injury, Mayank Agarwal has been added in the squad as the replacement of Shaw. Praising the in-form domestic batsman, Shastri claimed that they are seriously looking him as another option.
Shastri added, “Mayank is a good young player. He has got loads of runs for India A. He is someone who has come through the ranks and when you look at his domestic record, his performances are as good as anyone. So that’s a call we will have to take.”
After winning the first Test of the series at Adelaide by 31 runs, India lost the second Test at Perth by 146 runs. While the series is currently level at 1-1 with two Tests to go, Shastri claimed that their morale hasn’t lost due to the Perth Test.
The Indian head coach signed off, “We have not lost any morale in Perth. We knew we had our chances there in Perth as well, so we are ready. We are at 1-1 in a Test series in Australia. Very rarely have we been in a position (this year) where we are 1-1, and it is not often for a team, when they travel overseas, that they are placed 1-1 with two Tests to go. So the boys know what they can do and what they are capable of. The potential lies ahead. We will be third time lucky (after South Africa and England).”
