Ganguly, Shah devising plans to improve India's performance: Rajiv Shukla
What's the story
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are working on plans to improve the performance of Team India Down Under. Rajiv Shukla, who is set to become the BCCI vice-president, informed about the development. Notably, a framework is being drawn after the Indian team suffered a crushing defeat by Australia in the Adelaide Test (D/N).
Statement
'Hopeful that performance will improve', says Shukla
Here is what Shukla said. "It was not a good score and we are really concerned. The BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah are concerned about it and both are working on some plans through which the performance can be improved. I am quite optimistic and hopeful that in the next Test match we will definitely do better," Shukla told ANI.
1st Test
India recorded their lowest-ever Test total
Australia claimed an eight-wicket victory over India in the first Test (Day/Night) at the Adelaide Oval. In a strange turn of events, the Indians were bowled out for 36 in the second innings, their lowest-ever Test total. Notably, none of the Indian batsmen scored in double figures. This allowed the hosts to chase a meager target of 90 with ease, on Day 3.
Batting
'Nobody will be flown to Australia'
Considering India's poor batting display, several cricket experts stated that NCA head Rahul Dravid should be called to mentor the Indian batsmen. Speaking on the same, Shukla said, "Nobody will be flown to Australia, our performance in the first innings against the hosts was good, we even took the lead but in the second innings we collapsed, it happens sometimes."
Do you know?
The Indian batsmen failed to break the deadlock
This was only the second instance when no Indian batsman reached the double-figure mark, in a Test innings. Here are the scores: Shaw (4), Mayank (9), Bumrah (2), Pujara (0), Kohli (4), Rahane (0), Vihari (8), Saha (4), Ashwin (0), Umesh (4*), Shami (1).
Series
Will India bounce back in the Test series?
The dejected Team India will now enter the Boxing Test, reeling 0-1 in the four-match series. Ajinkya Rahane will lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, who heads back on paternity leave. Furthermore, a fractured arm has ruled fast bowler Mohammed Shami out of the series. Therefore, India are expected to make a number of changes for the MCG Test.