Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has been left unimpressed by Team India's decision to bowl first in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. He is of the opinion that skipper Rohit Sharma did not show a 'positive mindset' after choosing to bowl first at The Oval in London.
The side have gone into the game with four pacers and one spinner, a decision that has not gone down well with many veterans. India are also without veteran offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin as they chose to bowl under overcast conditions. "From what came out today, the mindset was to field if they won the toss, hence the choices in the bowling department -- four seamers one spinner," Shastri told ICC after the end of the opening day's play on Wednesday.
"If the mindset was positive you'd want to bat, rough it out in the first session and see if you can put 250 on board. Don't think too big 250-260 and if the conditions got better and you saw the first session through, you could have got more," he added.
After a good start, Steve Smith and Travis Head brought the team back into the game, and the duo shared an unbeaten 251-run partnership to put Australia in a commanding 327/3 heading into Day 2. However, early on Day 2, Head's wicket was taken by Mohammed Siraj as he departed for 163 runs in 174 balls.
Smith departed soon after, scoring 121 off 268 balls before he was bowled by Shardul Thakur.
Shastri further added Australia are in a prime position for a win and in this position, the game was Australia's to lose. "I think Australia are in a prime position now. It's up to them to allow India back into the game, they batted beautifully, especially in the first session of play and that really set things up," Shastri said.
"You have to think wickets, if you wait for things to happen this game is gone. Australia will be another 200 runs by tea time tomorrow if not more. So think wickets try and make the second new ball count in the first 45 minutes of play. You saw what you did with Head -- better lines, into the body, lot of short stuff and take it from there and if you strike early you take it from there."
As of writing, Australia are currently 431/7, with Pat Cummins and Alex Carey on striker for Australia.
