India are all set to bounce back in the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Having lost the first Test match at Galle by 63 runs, India promised to be more aggressive in the upcoming Test match at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, which starts from Thursday.
Team India director has stated that they will not be changing their style of play and the mindset will also be similar. But this time they will have to get their act together.
"Let's hope lightning doesn't strike twice, because we will not change our style of play. Our mindset will be the same. But to close the deal, you have to walk the distance and we made that mistake in the first Test. They are getting closer and for this team, it is a case of getting one on board. Then it will be the start of many," Shastri told reporters in Colombo on Monday.
"It was not a question of buckling under pressure. They go out with intent. The endeavour of this team is to play fearless cricket that comes with mindset. These boys have enough talent. I am sure they must have thought after the match why I didn't play this shot, why I didn't play in this manner," Shastri said.
India achieved a lead of 192 runs in the first innings of the first Test but failed to maintain the lead and gifted the Test match to Sri Lanka in the second innings. That definitely hurt their confidence, which according to Shastri, was not nice ahead of the second Test match at Colombo.
"I can tell you the mood in the dressing room wasn't good. We didn't leave for an hour-and-a-half because everyone was hurting badly, and there was a good, honest discussion. When you win six sessions and you lose two sessions, but still go down 1-0 in the series, there's a lot to take away from that match. There's a lot to learn from it as well. We are not skirting behind any problems and there are no excuses. It is for us now to come out as a team and learn what went wrong in that Test. When you lose a Test like this, it hurts you more than some others. You were ahead in the match and you lost it. So you learn from these kind of matches more than others and hopefully you will see it in the next few days," Shastri concluded.
