India vs Australia: ‘Indian cricketers need empathy after strict coronavirus bio-bubble fatigue,’ says Ravi Shastri

India vs Australia: ‘Indian cricketers need empathy after strict coronavirus bio-bubble fatigue,’ says Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli

The Indian team arrived in Australia after missing out on international cricket for almost eight months. Meanwhile, they played in the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But the Down Under tour is the first one for the national side amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

The ‘Men in Blue’ didn’t start well as they lost the first two One Day Internationals (ODIs) against the Aussies. However, Virat Kohli’s men came back strong to clinch three back-to-back wins in the limited-overs cricket. Indian team head coach Ravi Shastri said that the players needed empathy after consecutive losses at the SCG.

“When I started the team meetings – after landing in Australia, I had only one thing in mind, empathy. It was a strict 14-day quarantine, and we were locked up in our rooms. The only time we could see each other was during the warm-ups. We knew it would be tough. After the ODIs, I told the players to take it easy. But he was observant. By the third ODI, things became calmer.”

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“If you remember the lockdown, nobody could move out. In cities like Mumbai, Delhi – everybody was locked inside their houses and apartments. In contrast, Australia also landed up in England for the white-ball series. When we landed in Australia, it was only the IPL that allowed the players to enter the field,” Shastri said.

‘Don’s have to prove ourselves in Australia’

India beat Australia 2-1 in 2018

Ravi Shastri said that the Indian team doesn’t need to prove themselves to anyone. He remembered that they had already beaten the kangaroos in their backyard last time they toured in 2018.

“We have beaten Australia in Australia. So, it is not like we have to prove ourselves. The onus is on them to stop us. In fact, we’ve beaten Australia in every format we have played them,” Shastri said.

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