India cricket legend Ravi Shastri slams Australia’s lack of discipline during Test cricket series

By James On Feb 27, 2023

Indian cricket legend Ravi Shastri believes Australia’s lack of discipline and lack of faith in their defense have cost the team dearly during their disastrous four-match series on the subcontinent.

Australia came to India as the world number 1 ranked team, but their hopes of winning a first series for the country in 19 years were dashed in just six days of cricket.

The tourists were beaten by an innings and 132 runs at Nagpur and lost by six wickets in Delhi after another calamitous collapse as India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the fourth time in a row.

‘I think the app (has let them down) more than anything else; the lack of faith in their own defence,’ Shastri told the ICC Review Podcast.

“The lack of enforcement and the lack of discipline was unrealistic, and Australia paid for it big time.”

Australia (Peter Handscomb pictured) arrived in India as the world No. 1-ranked team, but their hopes of winning a first series for the country in 19 years were dashed in just six days of cricket.

The collapse in Delhi was barely believable and one of the worst the Australian side has suffered.

In an obviously conscious ploy, the Australians deviated from their natural batting game and tried to be too aggressive.

The tactic failed spectacularly with Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw and captain Pat Cummins all ruled out as they tried to play the sweep shot.

“If you don’t trust your defense, you don’t stand a chance because that’s when you think about breaking free, much faster than you normally should,” Shastri said.

‘Sometimes you have to spend some time in the crease, but how are you going to spend any time in the crease if you don’t trust your defense?

‘But I didn’t see an Australian batsman (do that). What surprised me was that some of his older players also went out and looked to do things out of the ordinary, something they’re not used to.

“So I think it’s patience, it’s application, it’s discipline and trusting your defense.”

Shastri is not the only Indian to highlight the shortcomings of the Australian teams after the Delhi disaster.

Shastri was shocked that the senior Australian players played so recklessly (Steve Smith pictured after losing his wicket)

Shastri believes the Australian team will need patience, application and discipline to have a chance in the third Test.

Shastri is not the only Indian to highlight the shortcomings of the Australian teams after the Delhi disaster: Rohit Sharma and former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar criticized the Australian team for their decision-making.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma roasted the Australians for their poor decision making during the test.

‘On courses like these, it’s very important to have confidence in your own technique. The preparation for that becomes crucial,” Sharma told reporters.

‘Before the Nagpur Test, we had 6-7 days and we used them very well. We work on what shots to play and how to play them.

‘We were playing in Nagpur on red soil and here we were batting on black soil. Here the sweep was not a very good option, passing to the spinners was probably the safest option. That’s my opinion.

Former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar went even a step further in his scathing analysis, saying the Aussies just aren’t good enough to play the sweeper.

“The unfortunate part is that hitting against spinners is an art, and Australians are not used to playing good quality spin,” Vengarskar told PTI.

‘Sweep could be an important part of your game plan, but also the margin for error is very small.

“It’s hard to have control over the sweep, like the hook shot from pacers. Surprisingly, the footwork has been poor. The skill level is not there. I don’t see many of them getting out and driving.

The third test begins on Wednesday at Holkar Stadium, with the match scheduled to kick off at 3pm AEDT.