Ravi Shastri attacks Australian players after brutal defeat vs India in Perth Test

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri shared his thoughts on Australia's playing XI for the upcoming second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. Ravi Shastri stated that he does not expect any wholesale changes in Australia's squad for Adelaide after a humiliating loss in the first Test.

India was under pressure following a heavy 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home, with many predicting Australia would dominate in the Test series. However, India stunned the hosts with an emphatic 295-run victory. Notably, it was Australia's second-largest home Test defeat in terms of runs.

Top Team Like Australia Don't Do That - Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri said that there is no need to overreact to Australia's defeat in Perth, adding that top teams don't make rash decisions after a loss. Shastri also stated that he doesn’t expect any major changes to the Australian lineup for the second Test in Adelaide.

“Never jump the gun when you don’t have bullets to fire with. Or the right ammunition. I have seen a lot of overreactions to Australia’s defeat at Perth over the last two days. But I don’t think there should be any knee-jerk reactions to what transpired at the Optus Stadium. Top teams like Australia don’t do that. I do not expect any wholesale changes for Adelaide,” Shastri wrote in his column for Codesports.

You Have Instability In The Top-Order - Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri said that some Australian batters are past their prime, stating that it adds to the instability in their top order. He said that the Indian team delivered an impressive performance despite missing key players. Shastri lauded Jasprit Bumrah, who is at the prime of his career, for his impact.

“Australia would have realized not for the first or second or third time, that this Indian team is never short of belief, no matter how many star players they’re missing. And especially when they have an exponent with the new-ball like Jasprit Bumrah at the absolute prime of his career,” wrote Shastri.

"That too while you have instability in the top-order, at least based on the current form. You look at the age of the Australian batting line-up and it suggests to me there are a couple who could well be past their prime, even if they do still have the resources and experience to do the job," he added.

Second Test Scheduled to Commence on December 6

Australian batters struggled against the Indian bowling attack. Travis Head, who scored 89 runs, was the only half-centurion for Australia in the first Test. Senior players Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne failed to make an impact, while Mitchell Marsh added 47 in the second innings.

Australia bowled India out for 150 on the first day. However, they conceded a 46-run first-innings lead as Jasprit Bumrah picked up a five-wicket haul. Chasing a massive 534-run target, the hosts were bowled out for 238 runs. The second Test is scheduled to begin on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: "Your country is burning" - Pakistan strictly told to play matches outside