"They got out of jail but they are not on bail" - Former India coach reacts to visitors going into MCG Test of BGT 2024-25 with 1-1 scoreline
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri reckons that the visitors will go into the fourth Test of BGT 2024-25 in Melbourne with renewed confidence after managing a draw in The Gabba Test. Admitting that Jasprit Bumrah has single-handedly kept India in the series, Shastri asserted that any visiting side would be happy with a 1-1 scoreline in Australia after three Tests.
India won the first Test of BGT 2024-25 by 295 runs in Perth. Australia, however, hit back with a 10-wicket victory in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. The Aussies dominated the Brisbane Test, but the rain-hit encounter ended in a draw.
Speaking on The ICC Review show, Shastri emphasized the significance of India heading into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with the series level at 1-1.
“Massive. They would give anything for a 1-1 result. The first Test is in Perth, second Test is a day-nighter in Adelaide, and then the third Test in Brisbane. Any overseas team will, you know, settle for a 1-1 score because come Melbourne, come Sydney, I think India will be powerful.” he opined.
Shastri added that if some of the other big names in the team find form and support Bumrah, India can put pressure on Australia in the fourth Test. He said:
“They've been kept in this series single-handedly by Jasprit Bumrah. If the big boys wake up, and step up to the plate which I just get the gut feeling they will, then Australia has a problem on their hands.
“Yeah, they got out of jail but they are not on bail. They are free birds in Melbourne. They can do what they want and come and attack Australia on Boxing Day,” the 62-year-old concluded.
Australia have called up 19-year-old Sam Konstas for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Konstas comes in as a replacement for Nathan McSweeney, who struggled as opener in the first three Tests.
What happened when Team India faced Australia at the MCG in 2020-21?
India recovered from the ignominy of 36 all-out in Adelaide to win the Boxing Day Test of the 2020-21 series by eight wickets. Captaining the side, Ajinkya Rahane led from the front, scoring 112 & 27*.
Among the bowlers, Bumrah picked up six wickets, while Mohammed Siraj claimed five. Also, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja contributed a crucial half-century in the first innings and picked up three scalps.