Ravi Shastri lashes out at Team India’s selection on Day 2 of BGT 2024-25 4th Test, says team’s bowling was ordinary

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri slammed India’s selection tactics during the second day of the fourth Test against Australia at the MCG on Friday. The visitors decided to play two spinners – Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in the fourth Test.

But Shastri noted that Rohit Sharma didn’t use his spinners much. While Jadeja scalped three wickets, Sundar bagged one wicket. Rohit introduced Jadeja in the 16th over but gave the ball to Washington Sundar in the 53rd over of the innings.

Meanwhile, Australia added 143 runs in the opening session of the second day in 27 overs at a high run rate of 5.30 and lost only one wicket as Smith and Cummins added 112 runs for the seventh wicket.

Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports during Lunch break, “I thought the bowling was pretty ordinary. They ran out of ideas, India. Spin wasn’t used as much as it should have. It took a gap of 40 overs before Jadeja was introduced into the attack. It took a long time for Washington Sundar to bowl his first over. So when you’re playing two spinners, you have to ask the question, why did you play two spinners? What was the need if you don’t trust them?”

On the other hand, Steve Smith scored his 34th Test century as he played an impressive knock of 140 runs. Shastri added that India paid the price as Smith was relentless in his batting approach.

“India paid the price for it because Steve Smith is relentless. He’s a master batsman. He did the hard yards at the Gabba. And that’s paid off in this innings because he was more like his fluent self in this innings. Just the way he adapts to different conditions, different bowlers, with his footwork. His footwork changes. The movements change to different bowlers. He’s great to watch,” said Shastri.

At stumps on the second day, India were 164-5 and they still trail by 310 runs after Australia posted 474 runs.