Series still wide open, Ravi Shastri says on 4th Test eve

INDIA head coach Ravi Shastri on Wednesday (1) said he would like his team to take inspiration from the victory at Lord’s last month instead of thinking about the humiliating defeat at Leeds ahead of the crucial fourth Test match against England starting at the Oval on Thursday (2).

The five-match series is tied 1-1 at the moment and whoever wins the fourth match will take an unassailable lead.

Shastri admitted that getting bowled out for 78 on the first day at Headingley became decisive in the final context of the third match that India lost by an innings and 76 runs but believed that the series is still “wide open”.

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'It's very easy, just go back to Lord's'

“It’s very easy, you just go back to Lord’s. Just think Lord’s, forget the last one. As simple as that. I know it’s easier said than done but we should remember your good moments as well. Such things happen in the game,” the former India captain told India’s Times Now Navbharat media outlet while promoting his new book ‘Stargazing’.

The 59-year-old former all-rounder said how one should take positives from the Lord’s Test in which India defeated England by 151 runs despite the hosts remaining at an advantage for the first four days.

“England was in the driver’s seat and we snatched victory. In the last Test match, they bowled brilliantly. They caught us on the hop on the very first day of the Test match, they put us on the back foot,” Shastri said.

The India coach was happy the way India batted in the second innings in Leeds where they scored 278.

“Even though we showed glimpses of a fight in the second innings, I think that first, you know, early dismissal of our players and getting all out for 78 played its part. But this series is wide open,” he added.

India, however, fell like ninepins on the fourth morning of the third Test, losing their last eight wickets for a paltry 63 runs against a new ball.

Shastri said anyone who writes off Virat Kohli and his men would do so at their own peril.

“If anyone thinks that this Indian team is going to back off, they have another one coming because at 1-1, we are playing overseas, the pressure is on England. They have to win in their own country. We have done what we had to do with them in India. So, the ball is in their court and we will fight, there’s no question about it,” he said.

India last won a Test series in England in 2007.