Guwahati, Nov 23: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the hosts to consider a bold, high-risk declaration on day three of the Guwahati Test, arguing that only aggressive tactics can keep India in contention for a series-levelling victory.
With South Africa’s 489 towering over India’s first-innings progress, Shastri believes a conventional approach will only eat up valuable time.
Speaking on broadcast duties, he suggested India may need to accelerate, accept a first-innings deficit and declare well short of the opposition’s total to create a window for a fourth-innings chase.
“India have some big decisions to make,” Shastri said.
“Get through the new ball, move the game forward and try to force a result.
“You might even have to declare behind — 80, 90, 100 runs — and give your bowlers enough time to take ten wickets. You can’t just bat on and try to overhaul 489; it’ll take too long.”
However, the gamble comes with significant risk. The surface, expected to hold firm on day four, may not offer the turn India’s spinners rely on, giving South Africa the advantage in a low-wear scenario.
India’s recent fourth-innings form also raises concerns: they fell short of a modest 124 in the previous Test and suffered a similar collapse at Lord’s earlier this year.The prospect of a 0–2 home defeat adds further weight to the decision-making. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, already under scrutiny after a rare home series whitewash earlier in his tenure, could face intensified pressure if India opt for aggression and it backfires.
With the match finely balanced but time running out, India must now decide between safeguarding the series result or embracing Shastri’s call for a calculated but risky push for victory. (Agencies)
