'They paid for it big time' - Ravi Shastri blames lack of application for Australia's demise in 2nd Test

Former Indian cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has lamented on the poor application by the Australian batters following their abysmal outing in the second innings of the second Test against India in Delhi. Australia lost nine wickets in just one session on the third morning of the Delhi Test, surrendering from a strong position in the game.

Ravi Shastri reckoned that the Australian batters did not trust their defence against the Indian spinners, which led to their downfall. The Australian batters stuck to their plan of sweeping to Indian bowlers, which cost them dearly. The former Indian all-rounder felt that too many batters tried to do things out of the ordinary rather than sticking to the basics and trusting their ability.

“I think application (has let them down) more than anything else; the lack of belief in their own defence. The lack of application and the lack of discipline was unreal, and Australia paid for it big time. If you don‘t trust your defence, you have no chance because that’s when you entertain thoughts of breaking free, much quicker than you normally should.

“Sometimes you‘ve got to spend some time at the crease, but how are you going to spend some time at the crease if you don’t trust your defence? But I didn‘t see one Australian batsman (do that). What surprised me was some of their most senior players also came out there and looked to do things out of the ordinary, something they’re not used to," Shastri told the ICC Review Podcast.

A 4-0 win here psychologically does send a strong signal to the opposition: Shastri

The former Indian head coach feels that a clean sweep for Indians in the four-match Test series will send a strong signal to their opponents, who are likely to contest the WTC final later this year. However, he reckoned that the Aussies will be a different unit when their fast bowlers return to full fitness.

“A 4-0 win here psychologically does send a strong signal to the opposition. There will be an impact, but conditions are different as Australia will have their fast bowlers back as a lot of them are injured. But that psychological dent will make India believe that, even in those conditions, they‘re good enough to upstage Australia,” he added.

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