Australia vs India: Ravi Shastri prefers rest over training sessions ahead of second Test

Indian head coach Ravi Shastri suggested his players take rest and skip practice sessions ahead of the second Test in Perth.
The second Test is slated to begin in Perth on December 14.

Shastri stressed the need for rest ahead of the second match and that they might skip training sessions.

“They have to rest up, to hell with the nets. You just come there, mark your attendance and get away to the hotel. We know the Perth track is quick, it’s a drop in surface, there will be something there for the fast bowlers,” he said.

The 31-run win over Australia would serve to be one of India’s sweetest wins and most-cherished ones, especially after they suffered back-to-back series losses in South Africa and England earlier this year.

“We lost the first Test in England by 31, lost the first Test in South Africa by 60-70, so this is a very good feeling for the boys to come out on top. When you get off to a good start, there’s belief,” he said, on the much-awaited win.

This win was India’s first in Test cricket in almost a decade and the bowlers deserved a lot of credit for their consistent performances in both the innings.

Also read: We were the better side and deserved to win, says Virat Kohli

“The bowlers were brilliant in the first innings, defending 250, the discipline was magnificent. They’ve worked on it, it’s not come in overnight. As a bowling unit, when you show that discipline, it doesn’t matter which side you play against. You will be successful,” Shastri, while lauding his bowling attack of four pacers and one spinner, said.

The 56-year old also showered praise on Cheteshwar Pujara for his contributions in both the innings. It was largely due to his efforts in the first innings that India were able to make it to 250. He followed it up with 71 in the second innings to help India post a stiff target.

“There was some rash shots played in the first innings, that was foolish cricket, but they learnt from it. Pujara was absolutely magnificent, we’ve asked him to be a little more upright to counter bounce in these conditions,” Shastri further said.