Shastri admits India will miss this player in AUS

Team India coach Ravi Shastri has admitted that Team India will miss all-rounder Hardik Pandya in Australia. Shastri believes that Pandya brings balance in the side and his absence has increased the team management’s headache.

Pandya’s absence forces us to think twice about team selection: Shastri 

Ravi Shastri was speaking with the media after arriving in Australia for the big tour which comprises of three T20Is, four Tests and three ODIs.

He admitted that the one player whom they will certainly miss in the squad is Hardik Pandya who is sidelined due to an injury. The Indian coach noted that Pandya lends balance to the side because of his ability to operate as a bowler as well as a batsman which allows Indian team to play an extra bowler.

Shastri also noted that the team management will be forced to think twice with regard to team selection as a result of Pandya’s absence. But the former India cricketer is hopeful that Pandya will get fit soon and if the fast bowlers perform well, then he believes that they might not miss the all-rounder as much.

Pandya out of team since Asia cup

The all-rounder got injured during the game against Pakistan in Asia cup and was stretchered off the field. Since then he is out of the team and there is no confirmation about when he will be fully fit.

In October, the all-rounder had tweeted that he is on the road to recovery but till date, there has been no update on his injury. He is not part of India’s T20I and Test squad for Australia.

Weekends started well ????‍♂️
Road to recovery ? pic.twitter.com/rJw4lg6tU3

— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) October 20, 2018

Kohli is mature but will not take his foot off gas: Shastri 

When asked about Virat Kohli’s aggressive mindset, Shastri said that Kohli is a professional and he has matured. He pointed out that everyone saw him four years ago (2014-15) and he has played all around the globe since then and captained the side.

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According to Shastri that alone comes with a tag of responsibility which has fit well on Kohli’s shoulders and he has adjusted extremely well but the coach of India’s team also made it clear that Kohli will not take his foot off the gas.