'Nobody will be flown' - Rajeev Shukla denies the possibility of Rahul Dravid flying to Australia

Indian team had succumbed to a 8-wicket defeat against Australia in the Adelaide Test after getting bundled out at a paltry total of 36 which has resulted in questions being raised on the team management and the players. Rajeev Shukla, who is set to become the vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), revealed that though the Indian board is concerned regarding the team’s performance, they have faith on the players that they will bounce back stronger in the next Test.

Shukla reckoned that the president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are really concerned and are in constant touch with the team management to make plans on how to proceed further. When asked whether former India batsman Rahul Dravid should be flown to Australia to guide the Indian batsmen, Shukla replied that no such action would be taken as the players are capable of improving themselves.

“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 said as quoted by mykhel.com.

Australian tour has always been a challenging tour: Rajeev Shukla

“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 added.

Speaking further, Shukla opined that the Australia tour has always been a challenge and it is difficult to face Australian bowlers in their home. However, the Indian team will put up a brave face from the next game. India and Australia will lock horns in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, beginning December 26.

“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.