Shastri Predicts India’s Victory Ahead Of Boxing Day Test At Melbourne

December 25, 2024: Ahead of the crucial fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), former Indian all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri has confidently predicted that India will emerge victorious in the Boxing Day Test, highlighting that the first day of the match will be pivotal in determining the direction of the series. With the series level at 1-1, both teams will be fighting for an important lead to boost their chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final.

Shastri expressed his belief that India is well-positioned to take control of the series, given the way the first three Tests have unfolded. “I think India would take this, the way the series is poised,” Shastri remarked. “Any overseas team being 1-1, especially with the games being in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, they would take this. Going 1-1 into Boxing Day is the best-case scenario. I would say India has their nose ahead.”

Shastri, who coached the Indian team to great success, emphasized that India’s approach has always been one of aggressive competitiveness. He made it clear that the team’s goal in Australia is not just to compete but to win. “India has come here to win, not just fill in the numbers,” he said. “A team has to have well-thought-out plans and methods to win in Australia, and merely competing doesn’t help. Even when I was the coach, our mantra was to play extremely hard, fair, and to win.”

India’s strategy under Shastri has been clear—focus on taking 20 wickets to win Test matches. He praised India’s aggressive approach, saying, “You have to think of a method to beat Australia, not just compete. You’ve got to plan properly, how to take your 20 wickets. India have done that and been very aggressive. They have been in the face of Australia and given as good as they get. It has been entertaining and feisty stuff.”

With the series poised for an intense showdown, Shastri believes that the outcome of the first day of the Boxing Day Test could set the tone for the rest of the match and, potentially, the series. “India have their nose ahead. I think the first day of the Boxing Day Test will determine which way the series will go,” he added.

Shastri’s comments underscore the high stakes of the Boxing Day Test, a fixture known for its significance and excitement, and how crucial it will be for both teams to assert dominance early on. The match promises to be a thrilling contest, with India’s aggressive mindset and Australia’s formidable home advantage creating a compelling narrative for cricket fans worldwide.