Either as a commentator or as a Team Director, Ravi Shastri’s responses almost always end with a flourish. One of those was reserved when a question on the brand of cricket that he espoused and his team wanted to play was asked.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” he said. “And the eating was over on the last day of the last Test. We will stick to our guns. We will play the way we have decided, like I said before the first Test match.”
In what seemed like a more elaborate explanation, he said, “Nothing changes from day one, when I spoke to you before Galle. We play for only one reason. We play to win. We have got ourselves in a position where if you win this Test, you win the series. This is massive. So there’s no point being shy of going for a win. At the same time, it’s not a case of being overconfident.”
After aggression, horses for courses seems to be the team’s new mantra and Shastri said it was set to continue.
“It all depends on strategy and we are prepared to be flexible. What the situation and the opposition demands. Accordingly see what’s the best batting position for each one.”
The ground is considered a haven for draws, but with a re-laid wicket, Shastri hoped it would be an even contest.
“I remember commentating a lot here with matches not getting over. First innings not getting over till the fifth day. Hopefully, with the series being the way it is, we want both teams to play exciting cricket.”
For this match, India will go in with its third new opening combination, enforced mainly by injuries, first to Shikhar Dhawan and then to M. Vijay.
“Fitness issues with anybody hurts. More so with Vijay because he is prolific. He showed, even playing with 80 per cent [fitness] in the last Test, his innings was crucial. Getting the number of Test match runs and not in India but overseas, him and Shikhar are very important players. We will really miss them.”
