Colombo, Aug 17:
Notwithstanding India’s shock defeat in the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka, Team Director Ravi Shastri today made it clear that they will not change their style of play in the remaining two Tests, saying the endeavour has always been to play “fearless cricket”.
In an extraordinary twist in Galle, India capitulated to an embarrassing 63-run defeat against the islanders, who scripted one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent Test history.
“Let’s hope lightning doesn’t strike twice, because we will not change our style of play. Our mindset will be the same. But to close the deal you have to walk the distance and we made that mistake in the first Test. They are getting closer and for this team, it is a case of getting one on board. Then it will be the start of many,” Shastri told reporters here. Asked if the team was under pressure, the former captain responded in negative.
“It was not a question of buckling under pressure. They go out with intent. The endeavour of this team is to play fearless cricket that comes with mindset. These boys have enough talent. I am sure they must have thought after the match why I didn’t play this shot, why I didn’t play in this manner.”
Shastri said that the batsmen didn’t perform, as they should have against spin in the second innings of the Test and the whole team is hurting after a shocking loss.
The beleaguered squad arrived in the city yesterday, but woke up to the news that Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out of the rest of the tour with a hairline fracture to his right hand.
“I can tell you the mood in the dressing room wasn’t good. We didn’t leave for a hour and a half because everyone was hurting badly, and there was a good, honest discussion,” said Shastri.
“When you win six sessions and you lose two sessions, but still go down 1-0 in the series, there’s a lot to take away from that match. There’s a lot to learn from it as well. We are not skirting behind any problems and there are no excuses. It is for us now to come out as a team and learn what went wrong in that Test.”
India lost the match despite taking a 192-run lead in the first innings with Dinesh Chandimal playing a counter- attacking hundred. Then Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal shared 10 wickets between them to leave Indian batsmen shell-shocked. It has become a trend with this line-up as they struggled against Moeen Ali in England and against Nathan Lyon in Australia. “I wish they had attacked on that last day and not defended,” said Shastri. “I am not saying start hitting fours and sixes, but attacking by being more positive, playing with intent and keeping busy at the crease. Against Moeen Ali, yes they were too aggressive. Here they were too tentative and too defensive. (PTI)
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