Former India head coach Ravi Shastri wasn’t pleased with India’s performance in the first two days of the ongoing WTC final 2023. After winning the toss, the 2021 finalists conceded 329/3 on the first day. The next day, the Aussies reached 469 all-out. In reply, the Asian side was reduced to 71/4. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane put together 71 runs but the partnership ended late on Day Two.
While the fans got angry with the team’s performance, Shastri wasn’t ready to mince his words. He asked the Indian players whether they want to play for the country or IPL franchises. On the other hand, some Aussie players didn’t play in the tournament for different reasons. Meanwhile, Shastri added that there must a clause in IPL contracts that says that the players can pull out in India’s interest.
“You must set your priorities, right? What is the priority? India or franchise cricket? You have to decide that. If you say franchise cricket, then forget this (WTC final). If this is important, then as the custodian of the sport, the Indian Cricket Board is the bosses. There should be a clause in the IPL contract that if they need a player out of the IPL in the interest of India, they have the right to do it.”
“First, put the clause and then ask the franchises to decide how much they want to invest. That is very important. You are the custodian of the sport. You control cricket in the country,” he added.
India made a terrific comeback on Day Three
Talking about the Test Championship final, the last edition’s finalists were reduced to 152/6 at the start of Day Three. However, the likes of Rahane and Shardul Thakur staged a fightback and scored a fifty each. They not only helped the team avoid following on but also helped them reach 296. Trailing by 178, they have taken six wickets for 195/6. At this point, Australia is led by 369 runs in the ongoing Day Four.
