Ravi Shastri ahead of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG addressed the press and spoke various topics including Virat Kohli’s on-field behaviour, the reason for not playing Ravindra Jadeja in the second Test match at Perth and also hit back at the critics who questioned the selection of four pacers during the Perth match. The Indian coach without naming anyone said that it is very easy fire blanks from millions of mile away. Interestingly, it was Sunil Gavaskar who not only questioned the selection but also said that Shastri and Virat Kohli were responsible for the team’s defeat by 146 runs in Perth.

“When you are millions of miles away, it is very easy to fire blanks. Their comments are too far away and we are in the Southern hemisphere. We have to do what's best for the team, as simple as that," the India head coach countered the criticism. He even went on to speak about Ravindra Jadeja’s absence from the during the second Test in Perth. Ravi Shastri Defends Virat Kohli’s on-field Antics Ahead of Boxing Day Test at MCG, Says ‘He is an Absolute Gentleman’.

Gavaskar a few days ago said that this entire year has not helped India cricket as there was lack of planning in the team.  “You have got to have that intention. By all means let the three fast bowlers who have played this game, not Umesh Yadav but the others and Virat and Pujara, let them take a break because they have really scored all the runs,” Gavaskar had said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 23, 2018 03:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).