India vs England | Want to see what team has learned from South Africa, says Ravi Shastri

At a time when most teams struggle overseas, Ravi Shastri has emphasized the fact that India has the potential to be the best travelling team in the world. He cited the example of South Africa, who lost to Sri Lanks 2-0 in the recent Test series, and insisted that Indian team wants to better its record in England. Team India begin the five-match Test series against England at Edgbaston on August 1.

“We believe we have the potential to be one of the best travelling teams. At the moment, there is no side in the world that travels properly. You can see what is happening to South Africa in Sri Lanka. We know our scorelines in England before this tour: 4-0 , 3-1 . We want to do much better than that,” Shastri told ESPNCricinfo.

Despite playing good cricket in South Africa, India lost the Test series 2-1 to the home team owing to few bad sessions in the middle. However, India did end the Test series on a positive note by winning the last Test in Johannesburg. Shastri specifically called for improvement from his side’s batsmen this time around.

“What I would like to see is whether we have learned from South Africa. A start of 25 or 30 should be converted into a big partnership,” Shastri said.

One major issue that India have to solve ahead of the Test series in the opening pair. Shikhar Dhawan has, so far, not looked in good knick as he registered ducks in both the innings of the warm-up game against Essex. KL Rahul, however, who has been travelling with the team as the third opener, impressed with his crispy innings. Rahul scored a sturdy half-century in the warm-up game as well. Shastri said that the team management would be flexible with the batting order of Rahul and insisted that a good start would be crucial to do well in English conditions.

“That is a must anywhere you go overseas, especially England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The first 20-25 overs are extremely crucial,” Shastri said. “If you can come through that period then you get a set a good platform. Understanding your role, understanding what the team needs in those 20 overs, the discipline needed to see off those 20 overs and make sure you lose as few wickets as possible. Then you set up the game because we have enough ammunition in the middle order and lower order to take the game forward.”

Cheteshwar Pujara, who struggled for Yorkshire during the County Championship, before disappointing in the match against Essex as well, would be a sign of worry for the Indian team. However, Shastri continued to back Pujara and hoped that he would continue to play in his natural way. 

“Pujara is an anchor. He has been one of the pillars of this batting line-up for a long time. You know what he does - he loves batting,” Shastri said. “We just want him to do it.”

Another headache facing Kohli and Shastri would be in deciding the bowling lineup, with conditions in England expected to be dry, the spinners would play a significant role. Shastri, without revealing the team’s choices, said that he would pick bowlers according to the wicket.

“ could be picked at any stage. There is Jadeja. There is Ashwin. Depending on the surface, we will have to decide whether to go for one or two spinners. That will be our headache,” Shastri said. 

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