Indian cricket team is in dilemma as the main problem has arisen over the selection of players. Despite having 19 players on the list, Ravi Shastri is little tensed. The team is having largest number of players on its roster in current time.
“We will evaluate Ashwin over the next 48 hours, Rohit looks good and has made good improvement but we will see how he pulls up tomorrow,” said Ravi Shastri.
Both, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin were not able to play the second test in Perth due to injuries. Rohit Sharma on Saturday seemed uncertain while hitting in the nets. Rohit is also recovering from the lower back spasms, so it seemed like he was being careful.
Meanwhile, Ashwin was comfortable turning his arm on the practice nets under the training of Shankar Basu. Opener Mayank Agarwal was seen hitting the nets with Mohammad Shami. He was seen spending time with batting coach Sanjay Bangar. Mayank was seen discussing the technical issues with the coach before going back to the practice.
There are fewer chances for Mayank Agarwal to make debut in the Test match. Shastri is also expecting Murali Vijay and KL Rahul to make a comeback in the squad. Shastri said, “He is a good, young player and has got loads of runs for India ‘A’. When you look at his domestic record, his performances are as good as anyone. So that’s a call we will have to take. It is a big concern. Responsibility and accountability have to be taken by the top order. They have the experience and exposure to get out there and deliver.”
Ravi Shastri has not yet confirmed whether Hardik Pandya will be playing in the team or not. He gave an uncertain statement saying, “It gives you an extra option but he has played just one first class match after recovering from injury, so we have to be very careful before we decide whether he plays or not.”
Shastri said that the selection will be done after the fitness levels of the players which will be addressed over the next 24 hours. Shastri said, “We will take one step at a time. The conditions will also have to be factored in.”
Being asked over the chances of winning Shastri said, “We are hoping to be third time lucky. Very rarely have we been in a position where we are 1-1 in an overseas series with two matches to play. So the boys know what they can do. We are 1-1 in a series in Australia and we knew we has our chances in Perth as well, so we are ready.”
Being asked about Virat’s verbal duels with Australian player Tim Paine, Shastri claimed his behaviour ‘Fine’ and said that Virat is an absolute gentleman.
