Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri feels Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara will be kicking themselves after the end of day four of the ongoing World Test Championship final against Australia on Saturday. Rohit and Pujara were dismissed after scoring 43 and 27 runs respectively.
Australia give a huge target of 444 runs to the Indian team after they declared at 270-8 in the second innings. While Rohit Sharma was dismised trying to play the sweep shot against Nathan Lyon, Pujara was dismissed while trying to play the uppercut against Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
Rohit was plumbed in front of the wickets whereas Pujara could only manage an edge to keeper Alex carry. In fact, both of these experienced batsmen were dismissed after getting of to a start and they must be disappointed by their shot making.
Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports, “You know what’s amazed me though is the way that the pitch has behaved. Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara will be kicking themselves for playing the shots that they played. They were poor shots when they were batting beautifully.”
The former Indian all-rounder believes India’s still has a chance to pull of the miraculous chase. India needs another 280 runs with seven wickets in hand to get to the target of 444 runs.
“Very much a possibility. This game shows us strange things. It has to be a world record chase.”
Shastri aded that it that it will be imperative for India to weather the storm in the first hour of play. Virat Kohli is batting unbeaten on 44 runs and Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a fine knock of 89 runs in the first innings, is unbeaten on 20 runs.
“The pitch has eased out, the sting is gone, and it made batting a lot easier. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have been in no trouble whatsoever. They have batted beautifully and scored quite easily. It is about coming out tomorrow and weathering the storm in the first hour, that will be crucial for me.”
Australia will be favorites on the final day of play as they need another seven wickets to clinch the WTC crown.
