AUS v IND 2020-21: Sunil Gavaskar says India should stay positive, else might lose series 4-0

Gavaskar also suggested couple of inclusions in the team ahead of Melbourne Test.

By - 20 Dec, 2020

Former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar wants India to start the boxing-day Test with the right mindset or they may end up losing the series 4-0 in Australia. India has already lost the first Test at Adelaide by 8 wickets.

Team India will head to Melbourne for the second Test without skipper Virat Kohli. Gavaskar wants the team to be positive ahead of the next match and target Australia's weak point.

"India should start the Melbourne Test well, it's necessary for them to step onto the ground with a lot of positivity. Australia's weak point is their batting," Sunil Gavaskar told Sports Tak on Saturday.

"Had we held on to our catches well and had good field placements, there might not have been any problem, Tim Paine and Marnus Labuschagne would have gotten out early. We could have got a lead of 120 runs. Australia got ahead in the Tests because of those dropped catches, they got the lead down to 50 runs," Gavaskar added.

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Apart from Kohli, fast bowler Mohammad Shami might also be unavailable for the rest of the series after suffering a wrist fracture in the second innings of the first Test. India was bowled out on 36 runs on the third day when Shami got his wrist injured.

"India has to believe that they can come back in the remainder of the Test series. If India doesn't find the positivity, then there 4-0 series loss can happen. But if they have positivity, why not? It can happen (comeback). It's natural that there is anger after such a performance. But in cricket, anything can happen. Look at how the scene was yesterday, and what has happened today."

Gavaskar has backed KL Rahul to play as an opener and Shubman Gill to be placed at number five or six in the next match.

"India will look at making 2 changes. Firstly, maybe Kl Rahul should replace Prithvi Shaw as an opener. At No. 5 or No. 6, Shubman Gill should come in. His form has been good. Things can change if we start well," Gavaskar further said.

(With Sports Tak Inputs)

By - 20 Dec, 2020

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