IND v SA | We focused on taking 20 wickets irrespective of conditions, says Ravi Shastri
India’s head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that the focus going into the three-match series against South Africa was to take 20 wickets in each match irrespective of how the conditions turn out. India’s innings and 202-run victory on day 4 at Ranchi is their highest win margin over the Proteas.
After a long and arduous stretch of Test cricket overseas, India came home to welcome what had been their toughest opponents in the subcontinent in red-ball history — the South Africans. And halfway through the first Test at Vizag, when the visitors put up 431 on the board against India’s 502, it seemed like a vindication of the stats from yesteryears. But from there on, the tide turned and by the time the last two wickets fell on day 4 at Ranchi, India had completed a 3-0 whitewash against their opponents. According to Shastri, all the focus was on the bowling unit operating on what he’d hoped would be fairly neutral conditions.
“We had a wish that we could take pitch out of the equation. We always wanted to take 20 wickets irrespective of where we were playing. Our batting is pretty much like a Ferrari taking off. We are just focussed on taking 20 wickets,” Shastri said after the match, reported Cricbuzz.
Shastri further went on to praise the individual brilliance of Rohit Sharma throughout the series, Ajinkya Rahane going about regaining his mojo, and an impressive debut performance from left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem.
“Ajinkya Rahane was always there. He just needed to rediscover himself. When you need to open in Tests, you might get out in the first 10 balls. But Rohit did well to hang in there for the first two hours. And things changed after lunch for him to take advantage of that. The job satisfaction that an opener gets is wonderful,” Shastri said.
“Extremely impressed with Nadeem. He comes over the top and has a great wrist position. The guy has put in the yards at the domestic level and am glad he finally had his chance at his home ground. He had no nerves and bowled three maidens on the trot."
All in all, the Men in Blue have had a satisfying series across the board, with each and every player putting their hand up. India have 240 points on the ICC Test Championship table, way ahead of second-placed Sri Lanka and New Zealand who have 60 each.
“It is a team effort. Normally, in India you have two players hogging the limelight. But in this series, everyone chipped in. That is what you want,” the Indian coach added.
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