New Delhi, December 25, 2024.
India have their “nose ahead” in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after taking advantage of Australia’s “brittle” top order, according to former coach Ravi Shastri, who has backed the visitors to win the Boxing Day Test.
Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is “almost single-handedly” to credit for the visitors’ ability to keep the series tied at one, Shastri continued.
“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.
The inability of Australia’s top order, which consists of Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, and Marnus Labuschagne, to score against Bumrah has compelled them to bench rookie opener McSweeney and give debut to teenager Sam Konstas.
“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 have exploited that and continue to exploit it,” Shastri said.
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has also had a difficult time scoring runs. Steve Smith, Labuschagne, Marsh, and Khawaja all had Test cricket averages below 30 in the previous year.
“India is 1-1 in the series and that man (Bumrah) has almost single-handedly got India into that position,” Shastri said.
“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 for Australia.”
Shastri believes it was unfortunate that McSweeney was axed after only three Test matches.
