The 56-year-old coach also insisted that the opening order batters need to take “responsibility”.
Indian batsman K.L. Rahul (C) speaks with the team coach Ravi Shastri. (Photo: AFP)
Team India coach Ravi Shastri on Sunday said the opening position is “a big concern” for visitors ahead of the Boxing Day Test match. Indian openers have been struggling to perform for quite some time now, and Ravi Shastri believes that the situation has not changed much.
When Shastri was asked about struggling form of Indian openers in the first two Tests, he said, “It’s a big concern.”
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The 56-year-old coach also insisted that the opening order batters need to take “responsibility”.
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“It’s obvious and that responsibility and accountability has to be taken by the top order. They’ve got the experience, they’ve got the exposure over these last few years to get out there and deliver. It’s about how strong you are in the mind,” Shastri added.
Both KL Rahul and Murali Vijay failing to make their presence known in the longest format of the game, and with teenage prodigy Prithvi Shaw getting ruled out from the entire Test series, Team India’s opening order is looking quite bleak.
Mayank Agarwal, who has been called in Indian squad as Shaw’s replacement, can be included in the playing XI for Boxing Day’s Test match.
When Ravi Shastri was asked about Agarwal opening India’s innings in the third Test, the former Indian cricketer said, “Well he’s a good young player, he’s got loads of runs for India A. He’s come through the ranks. When you look at his domestic record, his performances have been as good as anyone. That’s a call we’ll have to take in the next 24 hours.”
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