Head coach Ravi Shastri believes despite experienced pacer Ishant Sharma being a doubtful starter, India have a "fabulous" battery of fast bowlers available in the squad to be able to conquer Australia again and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Ishant remains in rehab for a side strain picked up during the IPL 2020 in UAE and is awaiting a green signal from NCA coaches to be able to fly across to Australia. But Shastri, while aware how big a blow Ishant's potential absence could be, said his team have adequate quality available in the ranks.
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"We have a fabulous five – (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami, (Mohammed) Siraj, Umesh (Yadav) and Navdeep Saini," Shastri told Sportstar.
"Yadav has the experience. Saini is young and fast. Bumrah one of the best in business. Shami is raring to go. Siraj is an exciting prospect. You put up runs on the board and watch these fast bowlers hunt the opposition. They can beat Australia in their own den."
While a cloud of uncertainty hangs over Ishant, as well as opener Rohit Sharma (hamstring injury), and regular captain Virat Kohli is set to return home on paternity leave after the first Test in Adelaide, Shastri dismissed suggestions that the team are feeling the heat ahead of what will be one of India's most challenging tours in recent history.
"Where’s the pressure? We have come here and are going to play our natural game. I have told the boys to respect the terrain and the opponents but play fearless cricket," said the coach.
The Test series begins on December 17 with an anticipated D/N pink-ball affair of the kind which India have only experienced once and Australia haven't lost any of their 6 in home conditions. Shastri, however, said his boys shall enjoy the occasion.
"Our boys have not played much of pink-ball in domestic cricket, but I just want them to go and enjoy their game. What matters is that they will be having some match fitness for the white-ball cricket and they now have to show if they have the will to adapt."
"Gain experience from here because god willing there won’t be a situation like this again. This challenge of the pandemic and quarantine," he added.
