India vs Australia: Ravi Shastri names “the turning point” of the Boxing Day Test
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Going into the Boxing Day Test, India already seemed to be on the back foot. The side had suffered a humiliating loss in Adelaide, captain Virat Kohli was on his paternity leave and key players like Mohammed Shami were injured. Even Umesh Yadav picked up a niggle in the second innings. However despite everything going against the team, India beat Australia by a massive margin of 8 wickets. India head coach, Ravi Shastri then named “the turning point” of the match at a virtual press conference.
In the first innings, India had some early wickets. However, stand-in skipper, Ajinkya Rahane smashed a century as he built a strong innings. The 32-year old played an instrumental role in the victory not only by producing a batting masterclass but also by shining with his leadership skills. And India head coach Ravi Shastri concurred with the same.
“I think it was the innings of Ajinkya Rahane”
India stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane scored 112 runs in the first innings off 223 balls. He also managed to stitch important partnerships with Hanumana Vihari, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja as the side took 131-run lead in the first innings.
Even India head coach, Ravi Shastri was impressed with Rahane’s performance. “I think, it was the innings of Ajinkya Rahane,” he said.
He further stated that he feels Rahane batted on probably the toughest day when the conditions were overcast. “The discipline, you know on such a big stage…When he (Rahane) went out to bat, we were 2 down for 60, and then to bat six hours, on probably the toughest day to bat, because it was overcast all day and he batted for six hours, unbelievable concentration,” the former batsman recalled.
“I thought that was the turning point. His innings was the turning point,” Ravi Shastri added in the conference.
Despite Ajinkya Rahane’s incredible knock and captaincy, he refused to take credit for his Man of the Match show. He instead chose to highlight the performances of debutants Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill.
“Shubman, we all know his first-class career and in this game, he has shown the intent to play shots at this level. Has shown composure. Siraj has shown that he can bowl with discipline. It’s really difficult for debutants to bowl with discipline but that’s where I think the first-class experience comes in handy,” he said.
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