AUS v IND 2018-19: Hosts' new polite approach wouldn't affect the Indian skipper, says Ravi Shastri

Shastri affirmed that India aren't taking anything lightly at all, despite Australia's continuous struggles.

The Indian team management isn't perturbed by the absence of Smith and Warner | Getty

Affirming that his boys aren't gonna take the opposition lightly at all, head coach Ravi Shastri on Sunday, November 18, said India will “take no prisoners” in their objective to try and dominate the tour of Australia.

Speaking after the arrival to shores down under on Saturday, Ravi stated that the Virat Kohli led side isn't perturbed by the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner in the marquee series, instead remains focused on the stiff task ahead.

“I don't think so, I always believe no team is weak at home," he said.

Ravi cited a fitting example and continued, “We(India) might have three or four players not playing when a team comes to India but God forbid if anyone says it is a weak Indian team because you will be surprised.”

The still vibrant and ever confident 56-year-old also cleared that India isn't drawn on Australia's new “friendlier” approach, under Tim Paine and Justin Langer, and informed that his team will continue to give as is given.

“We will be taking no prisoners, but are focusing on our game rather than what is happening outside,” Ravi confirmed India's play hard but fairways.

On how the whole scenario and the series impact skipper Virat Kohli, Ravi said, “He won't take his foot off the gas that is for sure,” and continued, “He loves coming to Australia, he's passionate about his game and the pitches here suit his style of play.”

Having learned lessons from the disappointments in South Africa and England, Ravi also emphasized that India are wiser for this challenge.

He said, “It's about seizing the moment. If you look at those Test matches (overseas), the scoreline doesn't really tell you the whole story.”

“There were some very tight Test matches and we lost some big moments badly which cost us the series. It could have been just an hour in a session over four days which made all the difference -- you have to learn from that,” and signed off.

The tour kickstarts with first of the three T20Is at Brisbane on Nov 21.

The prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy 4-Test series begins in Adelaide from December 6.

(Inputs from The Hindu)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 18 Nov, 2018

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