New Delhi, Dec 25: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes Australia having a “brittle” batting line-up means India have its nose ahead in the run-up to the Boxing Day Test, starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.The five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series is currently tied at 1-1. “I think it’s been pretty brittle. When you look at this Australian line-up, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen an Australian line-up where the top order is that brittle. India have exploited that and continues to exploit it.“I think it’s going to be a cracking game. I think India would take this, the way the series is poised. Any overseas team being 1-1, especially with the games being in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane, they would take this. Going 1-1 into Boxing Day is the best case scenario. I would say India have their nose ahead,” said Shastri to news.com.au.He also shared his perspective on Sam Konstas, set to make his Test debut at the MCG, after Nathan McSweeney was dropped following a lean show in the first three matches.The biggest challenge for young Konstas will be to counter Jasprit Bumrah, the current leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps.India is 1-1 in the series and that man (Bumrah) has almost single-handedly got India into that position. As far as Konstas goes, I think he’s very refreshing. He’s got flair, he’s got flamboyance. But Test cricket is Test cricket. I think his technique will tighten up and he will be the future for Australia
Australia’s brittle batting line-up means India have their nose ahead’
