Nottingham: Under-fire India coach Ravi Shastri called on his struggling batsmen to show more discipline and grit when the third Test against England gets underway at Trent Bridge here, Saturday. England lead the five-match series 2-0 after winning the first two Tests in Birmingham and Lord’s.
“Conditions have been tough right through this series. But that’s where character and discipline come into play. The resolve to know where your off stump is, leave a lot of balls, be prepared to look ugly and dirty and show some grit,” Shastri told reporters here Thursday.
“I don’t think it’s fair to single out any one player,” he added, when asked about Ajinkya Rahane’s struggles on this tour. “Batsmen from both teams have struggled. When the occasion demands, it’s a case of mental resolve – how you put mind over matter. Mental discipline will be the key as far as batsmen are concerned going forward in this Test match. Rahane is one of our pillars and he will remain so.”
It is all about mental resolve when the going gets tough. You have to back your skills and at the same time show the fight to overcome odds
Ravi Shastri
There is some good news ahead of the must-win Test for India. Skipper Virat Kohli is near full fitness ahead of the game as he batted without any discomfort and also took slip catching. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Ashwin and Hardik Pandya have already been declared fit for the game.
“Kohli is feeling much better. You saw him in the nets – he is moving much better and improving by the day,” Shastri pointed out.
“In hindsight, it (picking second spinner at Lord’s) was an error. We should have gone, seeing the conditions, with an extra seamer. It might have helped,” Shastri added.