England vs India: Ravi Shastri backs underfire Ajinkya Rahane

Team India is having a hard time in the ongoing five-match Test series against England. They are 0-2 down in the series and the third Test is a couple of days ago. The series will be on the line as the action moves to Trent Bridge for the third Test. Ahead of the game, team India head coach Ravi Shastri spoke at length on the various propositions of the game.

The Indian batting lineup has been a disappointing aspect for the team thus far in the series. Save Virat Kohli, no other batter has stood up to shoulder responsibility. Amidst this backdrop, senior player Ajinkya Rahane has come under the firing range of the pundits.

Ravi Shastri, in a media interaction, backed Rahane as one of the pillars of the Indian batting lineup.

“I don’t think it is fair to single out one player. Batsmen from both teams have struggled when the occasion demanded, right? It is a case of mind over matter, how you prepare and mental discipline will remain key as we go into the test. He is one of our pillars and he remains one of our pillars,” Ravi Shastri quoted.

On Ben Stokes

Commenting on the opposition, Ravi Shastri admitted that Ben Stokes is a big player for England. He noted that had he been in the English camp, he would have definitely played Stokes in the third Test. Stokes had missed the Lord’s Test owing to his court hearing.

“We focus on cricket, we like to play against top cricketers. If he is cleared by the court, what is the reason to not have him play in the third Test. If I was in the English camp, I would have played him,” the Indian coach mentioned.

On Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant

A lot of talk has also been around Rishabh Pant. With Dinesh Karthik failing in the first two Tests, many feel it is high time to try Rishabh Pant in the lineup. Shastri did not give any hint about Pant’s inclusion in the side. Meanwhile, he gave a positive update on the Indian captain Virat Kohli. He remarked that Kohli is recovering well and should be fit for the third Test.

“About Rishabh, you’ll know at 11 o’clock the day after As for Virat Kohli, he is feeling much better and is improving by the day. I’d say to the team that just believe in yourself. You’ve been in this position before but you have to bounce back. One thing is for sure there is no negative bone in this unit and we’re here to play and win. This team is not worried about who we are playing against. If it comes to giving back, we are prepared to give back in the vocabulary we know best,” Shastri said on the spirit of the present lot.

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