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Ravi Shastri has backed India to win the Boxing Day Test, saying the visitors have exploited Australia’s ‘brittle’ top order to have their ‘nose ahead’ in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India to face Australia in the 4th Test at the MCG
After a week-long gap, Team India will be back in action as they face Australia in the Boxing Day Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It will be the last Test match of the year for both teams and they would like to put their best foot forward, win the fixture and take an unassailable lead in the series which is evenly poised.
Former coach Ravi Shastri has backed India to win the Boxing Day Test, saying the visitors have exploited Australia’s ‘brittle’ top order to have their ‘nose ahead’ in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“I think India would take this, the way the series is poised. Any overseas team being 1-1, especially with the games being in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, they would take this. Going 1-1 into Boxing Day is the best-case scenario. I would say India have their nose ahead,” Shastri told news.com.au.
Pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been a nemesis of the Australian top-order. The likes of Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne have been unable to score against the Indian speedster. It forced the Aussies to hand a debut to teenage sensation Sam Konstas while dropping rookie opener Marcus Harris.
“It’s been pretty brittle. When you look at this Australian line-up, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen an Australian line-up where the top order is that brittle. India has exploited that and continues to exploit it,” Shastri said.
“India is 1-1 in the series and that man (Bumrah) has almost single-handedly got India into that position. As far as Konstas goes, I think he’s very refreshing. He’s got flair, he’s got flamboyance. But Test cricket is Test cricket. His technique will tighten up and he will be the future of Australia,” he added.
India have won the last two series in Australia and now have the opportunity to become only the third touring side to win three consecutive series Down Under, joining the West Indies (1984/85, 1988/89, 1992/93) and South Africa (2008/09, 2012/13, 2016/17).
“Massive. No team has done that in a long time. Australia hammers sides when they come here. For India to pull off three on the trot will be something special. But they’ll have to play good cricket. I see Australia coming hard in this Test match, especially with the bowlers. The batting will be the challenge for Australia more than anything else,” Shastri said.
- Location :
Melbourne, Australia
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