With skipper Ajinkya Rahane by his aspect, Team India coach Ravi Shastri delivered a stirring dressing room speech commending the “courage, resolve and spirit” of his wounded warriors after the conquest at Gabba on Tuesday. An injury-ravaged Indian aspect chased down an imposing 328 within the fourth and ultimate Test handy Australia their first loss in 32 years at ”Fortress Gabba” to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in model.
“The courage, the resolve, the spirit, that you guys have shown is unreal. Not for once you were down, injuries, 36 all out (in the first Test), you had the self-belief in you,” an emotional Shastri mentioned with captain Ajinkya Rahane standing calmly by his aspect.
“It doesn’t come in a single day however now that you’ve got this self-belief, you’ll be able to see the place you’ve gotten taken a recreation as a group. Today overlook India, the entire world will arise and salute you.
“So remember what you guys have done today. You need to enjoy this moment, don’t let it just go away, enjoy as much as you can,” he suggested the younger group.
Batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara, who took blows to his physique however stayed agency, match-winner Rishabh Pant’s extraordinary strokeplay, and younger opener Shubman Gill’s calm counter-attack drew particular appreciation from Shastri.
“It started in Melbourne. Sydney was fantastic, it allowed us to come here even-steven. And to pull off something (like this) today was simply outstanding,” mentioned Shastri.
“Shubman great, great. Puji you will be known as the ultimate warrior,” mentioned Shastri to whistles, particularly from younger pacer Mohammed Siraj, and applause from the group.
“And Rishabh, simply outstanding. The way you were batting, you gave heart attacks to a few every moment but what you have done is magnificent,” he added because the keeper-batsman appeared on with a childlike grin on his face.
The man who continued to be resolutely calm amid the apparent pleasure was Rahane and he nodded in acceptance as Shastri acknowledged his management.
“Jinx to lead the side from the position where we were and to make them bounce back and control things in the middle like the way you have done is simply, simply, brilliant,” mentioned the 58-year-old former all-rounder.
WATCH – Exclusive: Head Coach @RaviShastriOfc delivers a dressing room speech at Gabba.
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And lastly, Shastri applauded T Natarajan, the web bowler who turned a front-liner, and the duo of Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur, the boys who made as a lot distinction with the bat as with the ball.
“…on this Test match, I might not need to overlook is three debutants and their performances in that first innings. Nattu, Washi and I say Shardul as a result of he was injured within the first Test he performed (in 2018).
“For you to show that spirit, that’s what broke the back of Australia, more than anything else, that we could come back and get 330 or 340 on this wicket after being 180/6,” he mentioned.
India will tackle England of their subsequent Test project scheduled to start out from February 5.
(With PTI inputs)
