India vs Australia: “Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah are concerned about performance in Australia,” says Rajeev Shukla

India vs Australia: “Sourav Ganguly and Jay Shah are concerned about performance in Australia,” says Rajeev Shukla
India

Rajeev Shukla who is set to become the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India has said on Monday that president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are working on a plan to improve the Indian team’s performance in the ongoing Test series against Australia.

Shukla’s remarks come as India stumbled to an eight-wicket loss in the first Test of the four-match series with Australia. The Indian batting order was decimated for 36 in the second innings, their lowest in history. Aussies were given an average target of 90 to secure 1-0 lead. They achieved the score comfortably in 21 overs.

“We are not happy, it was not a good score and we are really concerned. The BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are concerned about it and both are working on some plans through which the performance can be improved. They will obviously be in touch with team management. I am quite optimistic and hopeful that in the next Test match we will definitely do better,” Shukla told ANI.

‘Nobody will be flown to Australia’

Indian cricket team during the warm up game
Indian cricket team during the warm up game

Rajeev Shukla was further asked whether former India cricketer, Rahul Dravid will be flown to Australia to guide the team based on rumors which have been circulating on the same.

“Nobody will be flown to Australia, our performance in the first innings against the hosts was good, we even took the lead but in the second innings we collapsed, it happens sometimes, after that all the corrective measures have been taken and I think our players are capable of improving the performance and they will definitely look at the wicket conditions in Melbourne and accordingly a composition of the squad will be worked up,” he answered.

The Virat Kohli-led team, entered the third day of the Test with a strong 62-run lead. However, the batsmen failed to rise to the occasion. Australian pacers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins scalped 5 and 4 wickets each.

“Australian tour has always been a challenging tour and if you go by the earlier performance, it was very difficult to face the Aussie bowlers. Now the Indian team is showing a very brave front and they have started playing and making good runs in Australia. Virat’s absence will be there but other players are also very competent and I think the team will definitely do very well,” Shukla signed off.

Skipper Virat Kohli will be returning home for his paternity leave. India will clash against Australia at the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne starting on 26 December.

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