‘Never Jump The Gun’: Ravi Shastri backs AUS to fight back after tough defeat in BGT 2024 first Test

Last update:November 27, 2024, 11:21 p.m. IST

Many have been quick to jump to conclusions about the AUS Test squad, from debutant Nathan McSweeney being criticized for his inability to shoot to the need for a change in the squad to take on the fiery Indians.

Australian Steve Smith disappointed after exclusion against India (AFP)

Australia may have suffered an embarrassing defeat against India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Ravi Shastri believes that should not be a reason to panic or trigger knee-jerk reactions within the team. team.

India recorded their biggest away victory (in terms of runs) with 295 runs in Perth, even after being bowled out for 150 by Australia in their first innings.

Many have been quick to jump to conclusions about the AUS Test team, from debutant Nathan McSweeney being criticized for his inability to shoot to the need for change to take on the fiery Indians.

Shastri, however, cut through all the noise, stating that it would be foolish to assume that the reigning WTC champions would not be able to bounce back, thus restoring faith in the hosts that they would not have “knee-jerk” reactions after their defeat.

“Never jump with the gun when you have no bullets to shoot with. Or the right ammo. I’ve seen a lot of overreaction to Australia’s defeat in Perth over the last couple of days. But I don’t think there should be any knee-jerk reactions to what happened at Optus Stadium. Top teams like Australia don’t do that. I don’t expect any major changes for Adelaide,” Shastri wrote in his column for Codesports.

Jasprit Bumrah set an example for the team from the front, scalping eight wickets while batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul helped India put on a show in the second innings to take the match away from the hosts .

This happened despite India missing their skipper Rohit Sharma and other star players such as Shubman Gill, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

So, Shastri also reminded the Australians not to rule out the Indians, even if they were missing a few stars, and instead stay focused on their best combinations to counter the visitors.

“Australia would not have realized for the first, second or third time that this Indian team is never short of belief, no matter how many star players it is missing. And especially when they have a representative with the new ball like Jasprit Bumrah at the peak of his career. That too while you have instability in the top order, at least on the basis of current form,” exclaimed Shastri.

“You look at the age of Australia’s batting line-up and that suggests to me that there are a few who may well be past their prime, although they still have the resources and experience to do the job ” Shastri wrote.