Shastri: Kneejerk reactions, Marnus is in his head and how the loss could hold Australia in good stead

Australia shouldn’t rush into kneejerk reactions following their Perth shellacking. In fact, RAVI SHASTRI writes, there’s a reason why India should fear the home side 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 heavy defeat in Perth over the last two days. But I don’t think there should be any kneejerk 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.

You get these kinds of results between these two teams. Remember what happened to us in the opening Test last time around. India and Australia are at their most dangerous immediately after a bad loss, which both teams are aware of. India have seen it before, the way the Aussies fought back to win in Perth back in 2018.

I had said in my last column that India had a great chance to win the first Test but Australia’s best bet is the pink-ball now. The result in Adelaide will tell us how this series will go. If Australia win and make it 1-1, then this will go down as one of the most enthralling battles ever, but if India win, then they’ll be hard to stop.

Ravi Shasti says he wouldn’t drop Marnus Labuschagne. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Australia would have realised 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.

That too while you have instability in the top-order, at least based on 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.

My big takeaways from the opening Test were young Yashasvi Jaiswal’s match-awareness, Virat Kohli’s feet, Travis Head’s confidence and Marnus Labuschagne’s head.

I think Marnus is still a key player. He comes across as someone who is carrying too much baggage in the present rather than focus on what he’s done in the past to be successful. I know there’s some commentary around here that he should be dropped. There’s no way I’d do that.

You can’t suddenly go completely off the boil as a world-class batter unless it’s got something to do with your mindset. Or if you’re overthinking your technique. My advice to him would be simple: Move your feet in the crease and don’t just scratch around it. Hopefully the one week break will do him some good.

He just needs to look at the way Head and Mitch Marsh batted in the second innings. Uncomplicated and keeping it simple, and that partnership was a big positive for Australia going forward. As was Josh Hazlewood’s bowling. He was fantastic and with a bit of luck could have finished with many more wickets. He always enjoys the pink ball in Adelaide, and we know first-hand what damage he can do with it.

Josh Hazlewood enjoys the pink ball. Picture: COLIN MURTY / AFP

There’s been some talk about them looking undercooked and maybe there’s a case for that. But the workout they’ve had in Perth, courtesy India batting for over 130 overs, could indirectly hold them in good stead going forward.

The criticism around Australia is fair but it’s also important to give credit where it’s due. Young Jaiswal’s century was the highlight of the Test, and the way he was fully prepared to put the hard yards in the interest of the team, despite getting out for zero in the first innings. And when the time was right, he showed all the shots he can play. His six to get to three figures was something else and that moment where he stood in the middle of a packed stadium with his arms aloft was a classic case of living a dream.

For me, a very ominous sign for Australia was the composure of Kohli and the way he moved in the crease. It was terrific and he looks hungry. There are always comparisons made between batters of this era as to who’s the greatest. All I’ll say is some of the best in the world right now will give an arm or a leg to make two centuries in Australia, forget seven like Virat.

As for the Australian batters, they need to show more intent with their footwork, trust their defence and know where their off-stump is. They’ll need to when you have someone as hot as Bumrah running in to bowl at you.

Originally published as Shastri: Kneejerk reactions, Marnus is in his head and how the loss could hold Australia in good stead