‘You can forget about winning’ – Former head coach Ravi Shastri rings alarm bells for India following Day 1 of WTC final

India and Australia are going against each other in the WTC final at Oval Cricket Ground in London. After the first day of play, Australia are in the driver’s seat with 327/3 on the board. India meanwhile, after getting the wicket of Usman Khawaja at just 2 runs, looked out of ideas.

At the end of Day 1, Steve Smith (96) and Travis Head (146) stayed at the crease and looked like taking the game away from India. A lot of India’s misery however has been put on India’s decision to take four seamers and one spinner. Following Day 1’s battering, Ravi Shastri has questioned India’s tactics.

“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 said 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.

The former India coach predicted that Australia are in the driving position and would win the match if India doesn’t get back into the game quickly.

It’s up to them – Shastri

“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.

Shastri suggested that only quick wickets could get India back into the game. “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, ” added Shastri.

Shastri has also predicted Australia win if things remain the same on Day 2. “Winning will become difficult. If you lose that session in the morning then you can forget about winning. Australia can bat India out of the contest by even wanting to bat two and a half sessions tomorrow with the way they are going they could be 600 plus,” Shastri added.