India's head coach Ravi Shastri feels the series is wide open and Team India should look at their win at Lord's rather than thinking about the one-sided loss at Leeds. India lost the third Test against England by an innings and 76 runs.
The visitors were bowled out for 78 in the first innings of the third Test and they couldn't recover from the batting failure. Speaking ahead of the fourth Test at The Oval, Shastri said we should remember our good moments; the memorable win at Lord's.
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"It's very easy, you just go back to Lord's. Just think Lord's, forget the last one. As simple as that. I know it's easier said than done but we should remember your good moments as well. Such things happen in the game," Shastri told Times Now Navbharat while promoting his new book 'Stargazing'.
Shastri accepted that England had complete control of the third Test and they didn't give them a single opportunity to come back in the match. "England was in the driver's seat and we snatched victory. In the last Test match, they bowled brilliantly. They caught us on the hop on the very first day of the Test match, they put us on the back foot," he added.
India, who were 215/2 at the end of the third day's play, lost 8 wickets in the morning session of the fourth day at Headingley. "Even though we showed glimpses of a fight in the second innings, I think that first, you know, early dismissal of our players and getting all out for 78 played its part. But this series is wide open," he said.
Despite a poor outcome in the last Test, Shastri warns the ones who are counting out Team India with two more matches to go. He said that anyone doubting this team should do so at their own peril.
"If anyone thinks that this Indian team is going to back off, they have another one coming because at 1-1, we are playing overseas, the pressure is on England.
"They have to win in their own country. We have done what we had to do with them in India. So, the ball is in their court and we will fight, there's no question about it."
(With PTI Inputs)
