WTC Final: 'India lacked positive mindset by opting to field,' says Ravi Shastri

Ravi Shastri (Pic: AFP)

The World Test Championship final between India and Australia began here on Wednesday. India won the toss and opted to bowl.

Disappointed by India's defensive approach, former head coach Ravi Shastri has said Rohit Sharma did not show a "positive mindset" by electing to bowl first in the WTC final.

The Rohit-Sharma led side preferred a four-pronged pace attack to go with left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, leaving out veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

The decision backfired as Steve Smith (95 batting) and Travis Head (146 batting) shared an unbroken 251-run partnership to put Australia in a commanding 327/3 heading into day two.

Also Read: WTC Final: Head, Smith shine as Australia post daunting 327/3 at stumps on Day 1

"From what came out today, the mindset was to field if they won the toss, hence the choices in the bowling department -- four seamers one spinner," Shastri told ICC after the end of the opening day's play on Wednesday.

"If the mindset was positive you'd want to bat, rough it out in the first session and see if you can put 250 on board. Don't think too big 250-260 and if the conditions got better and you saw the first session through, you could have got more," he added.

India had Australia at 73/2 at lunch on day one but after the skies cleared up it became a batting beauty as Smith and Head swung the momentum in their favour.

Shastri further said Australia are in a prime position and it's up to Pat Cummins and his men to let India back into the marquee contest.

"I think Australia are in a prime position now. It's up to them to allow India back into the game, they batted beautifully, especially in the first session of play and that really set things up," Shastri said.

The former India all-rounder feels the only way India can claw their way back into the contest is by making optimum use of the new ball on Thursday and taking wickets.

"You have to think wickets, if you wait for things to happen this game is gone. Australia will be another 200 runs by tea time tomorrow if not more. So think wickets try and make the second new ball count in the first 45 minutes of play," he said.

(With PTI inputs)

Also Read: WTC Final: 'I really enjoy batting with Steve Smith,' says Travis Head