“Think what you have the best in hand” – Ravi Shastri's message to India on Rohit Sharma’s absence for 2024 IND vs AUS 1st Test
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged India to focus on what they have at their disposal as regular skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the series opener in Australia. Shastri reckons team management should focus on the controllables and try to pick the best XI, who can adapt well to the conditions.
The former player also added that current head coach Gautam Gambhir will play a huge role in getting the best out of the tourists in the absence of Rohit and Shubman Gill, who could miss the first Test due to a left-hand thumb injury.
Shastri coached India to a 2-1 series win Down Under in the absence of Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami (missed three games), and Jasprit Bumrah (missed last game) in 2020/21. He was India’s coach when the Men in Blue won the series 2-1 in 2018/19 as well.
The cricketer-turned-commentator told on Star Sports Press Room:
“I mean you cannot... These are some things that happen naturally. It's beyond your (control). Nothing you can do with it. You have to think forward. Think what you have the best in hand and adapt accordingly. That's something that is not in your hand, you've got the ammunition, you've got the players and you've got the guys with experience.”
"So, it's important from Gautam's point of view that he motivates them to go on and take on Australia in this Test match,” he added.
KL Rahul is tipped to open in absence of Rohit Sharma in the first Test. Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikkal is likely to replace Gill in the playing XI.
“He’s not a first-timer to Australia, this is his third tour” – Ravi Shastri backs KL Rahul to play longer innings during 2024-25 BGT trophy
Ravi Shastri has backed KL Rahul to play longer innings in Australia owing to his experience Down Under. He, however, believes that no one can fill the void created by Cheteshwar Pujara, who didn't find a place in the India squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Shastri said in the same interaction:
“When you look at this team, when you look at the experience, who has got the technique, I think KL Rahul, if he gets off to a good start in the Test, he is someone who can bat long. He's got runs overseas as well in the past. He's not a first-timer to Australia, this is his third tour.
"So, it's important that he believes in his ability and gets off to a good start and then he has the kind of game where he can play for long periods of time. But Puji, there's only one Puji.”
He added:
“Pujara is Pujara. Please don't compare Pujara with anyone. People used to do puja to Pujara in series against Australia. Aap khade rahe, hum series jeetege. So don't compare. Now what he did is outstanding.
"But from my point of view, I'm very happy because he'll come to Australia and I get to see him again. He's out of the dressing room and I'm also out of the dressing room."
The first Test of the five-match series will be played in Perth from November 22 onwards.