NEWSIndia's head coach Ravi Shastri termed his team's eight-wicket win against Australia on Tuesday (29 December 2020) as "one of the greatest comebacks" in the history of the game after the visitors were "blown away" in the series-opener in Adelaide.
Shastri lauded the entire team with special praise for resilient debutants Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj after the 36 all out nightmare in the opening Test in Adelaide.
"I think it will go down in the annals of not only Indian cricket but world cricket as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the game," Shastri replied when asked to rate the win taking his four decades of association with country's cricket establishment into account.
"To be rolled over for 36 in three days and then get up and ready to punch back was outstanding. Boys deserve all credit for the character they showed. It's real character," said the former allrounder, who is never short of words when it comes to praising his team.
In a year marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, a victory like this would certainly bring smiles on the faces of Indian fans, feels Shastri.
"I think it's a great present from the team for the millions of fans around the world to have a happy new year, bringing some smiles on the faces going into the New Year," he said.
Fearless cricket has been the mantra of a Virat Kohli-led unit for long and the team led by Ajinkya Rahane didn't deviate from the script.
"That's the brand of cricket we have been playing for the last three or four years."
He was effusive in his praise for Shubman Gill, who scored 45 and 35 not out and Siraj, who had a match haul of five wickets.
"When you saw these two debutants show that kind of flair, discipline and maturity, it was great. Today Siraj's numbers were outstanding.
"...the discipline he showed while bowling long spells and that too in his first Test match and doing the job he had to do in the absence of Umesh, it was outstanding."
With Gill, he was impressed with the intent shown by the youngster in not getting into a shell.
"I thought he (Gill) looked very calm and mature for someone playing his first Test. He wasn't afraid to play his shots as it is easy to get into a shell," said Shastri.
Gill playing freely in his first Test could be attributed to the IPL and how modern day debutants are so different in their approach.
"I think a lot has got to do with IPL. They share the dressing room with international players and rub shoulders with the best. That complex factor disappears very quickly."
The coach also felt that Rishabh Pant's 29 was worth much more in the larger context of the match and he wouldn't like to be too critical of the young man throwing it away once again.
"I thought he was very, very good in this innings and any batsman can make a mistake. I thought the discipline he showed, the ability to counter-attack in the runs he made and to move the game forward was a huge, huge plus.
"He may have got 29 but there was a lot more than 29 in it," the coach said.
The bowling unit has been on the money for at least three years now and Shastri agreed.
"Outstanding. The discipline and calmness was for everyone to see. Execution of plans as to what was set out for them, it was a remarkable ...."
The Indian team has let a lot of opposition tails wag in the past. Asked what was the post-play chatter after Australia finished on 133 for 6 on Monday, the coach gave a tongue-in-cheek reply.
"What you saw today."
"Discipline, accuracy and patience. Being prepared to be patient even if they batted a session. Be prepared to chase down even 150 if needed.
"Think as if you have to take 10 wickets rather than 4 wickets."
Shastri didn't give any excuses for the Adelaide debacle even though India had better of the exchanges in the first two days save the one hour on the third morning that tilted the game decisively.
"We had a lot of positives in Adelaide but at the end of the day it's the result that counts. We were blown away in the second innings in one hour.
"So when you are blown away, you are blown away. There's nothing you can do about it but to get up and fight," he concluded.
Jadeja lends lot of balance to the team: Shastri
Ravindra Jadeja is certainly good enough as a specialist batsman in Test cricket but it is his pure all-round skills that gives the Indian team much-needed balance in the traditional format, feels Shastri.
Jadeja's contribution in India's eight-wicket victory against Australia at the MCG can't be ignored as he scored an important half-century, picked three wickets and also took two catches in his 50th Test.
Asked if India could look at Jadeja as a pure batsman, Shastri said: "He is a genuine allrounder and that's why he bats where he is. He can bat at No.6 or even No.5, on given occasions but is a genuine all-rounder. That's why he lends a lot of balance to the side."
For someone who has 216 Test wickets apart from 1926 runs, Jadeja's restrictive left-arm spin and ability to quickly get through his overs gives respite to the team's fast bowlers.
"Also when we play overseas, there is a chance of one of the (fast) bowlers getting injured. You saw with Umesh (Yadav)," said Shastri, referring to the bowler, who is set to miss the next Test due to a calf muscle injury.
"With Jadeja, you get that balance and also the fast bowlers get a respite with both Jaddu and Ash (R Ashwin) bowling."
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