'They have to win in their own country' - Ravi Shastri feels England will be under pressure to win at home

After an emphatic win at Lords, India were handed a crushing defeat in the Headingley Test against England, leaving the series evenly poised at 1-1. India are eyeing a rare series win in England but it will only be possible if the team does not lose any more Tests and win at least one of the two remaining games. India head coach Ravi Shastri feels that despite the win in last Test, England will be under pressure going into the fourth match.

“If anyone thinks that this Indian team is going to back off, they have another thing coming because at 1-1, we are playing overseas, the pressure is on England. They have to win in their own country. We have done what we had to do with them in India. So, the ball is in their court and we will fight, there’s no question about it,” Shastri said on Times Now Navbharat.

The loss at Headingley must have dented India’s confidence but Shastri has advised the team not to think about the Leeds defeat but instead focus on the Lords win.

“It’s very easy, you just go back to Lord’s. Just think Lord’s, forget the last one. As simple as that. I know it’s easier said than done but we should remember your good moments as well. Such things happen in the game,” he said.

“England was in the driver’s seat and we snatched victory. In the last Test match, they bowled brilliantly. They caught us on the hop on the very first day of the Test match, they put us on the back foot,” Shastri stated.

Meanwhile, India made two changes in their playing XI and brought in Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur in place of Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami. Surprisingly, Ravichandran Ashwin was once again ignored by the team management.