'They Paid The Price': Ravi Shastri's Strict Advisory For Team India Amidst Recovery From NZ Setback

Team India's biggest challenge while Down Under will be facing Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series. This year, the hosts will be determined to defend their title after the Men in Blue retained it the last time both sides locked horns against each other. With India facing challenging surroundings this year, it will be tricky for the team when they will battle the Pat Cummins-led side. Team India is coming off a difficult series loss against new Zealand, and Ravi Shastri has fired off a huge warning to the side.

Ahead Of BGT Series, Ravi Shastri Issues Strong Advisory For Team India

During an appearance on The ICC Review, Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri predicted that Team India would be in pain following the historic series loss to New Zealand, which put an end to their 12-year and 18-series home winning streak. He cited the importance of starting a series in a 'good state of mind', which head coach Gautam Gambhir needs to make sure of.

"India will be smarting from that defeat in that series against New Zealand because they were caught unawares. They were a little complacent and they paid the price for it. But having said that, it's a very proud team, this Indian team. They would be hurting and they'd like to get back on track.

"The best way to bounce back from such a series is start off another series in a good manner, so the first two Test matches become extremely crucial going ahead. The most important thing will be to ensure that they start off well; they keep the players in a good state of mind. That will be the most important thing for the coach," Ravi Shastri said.

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Further in his appearance, Shastri pointed out that the team needs to focus on the positives and wants them to think about what they did the last time they were in Australia.

"It's playing on their mind, confidence-wise. You can't go to the negatives. Think about the positives. Think about what you did in Australia last time around and take it ahead from there. Put what happened behind you. These are different conditions and some of the tracks in Australia when you get in are probably the best to bat. I think it will be totally different, the conditions when they get out there," Shastri added.

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[With PTI Inputs]