"Show courage, show character" - Former head coach shares motivational message for Team India after Day 4 of 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

Former India all-rounder and ex-head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Australia has the upper hand going into Day 5 of the Boxing Test in Melbourne on Monday, December 30. He, however, asserted that all is not lost for the visitors and that India can still save the Test match if their batters show courage and character.

Australia made a brilliant recovery from 91-6 in their second innings to reach 228-9 by stumps. The hosts have a significant lead of 333 runs. Marnus Labuschagne (70) led Australia's fightback on Day 4, while skipper Pat Cummins (41) and Nathan Lyon (41*) made crucial contributions. Lyon and Scott Boland (10*) added an unbroken 55 for the 10th wicket.

In a video shared on ESPNcricinfo, Shastri discussed India's chances heading into Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test. Effectively ruling out a win for the visitors, he urged them to fight it out and save the Test match. The former India all-rounder said:

"You had them at 91 for 6 and you would have imagined 140-all out. You would chased a total of 250 with ample time in hand to get that score, as opposed to the situation now. The only positive thing from India's point of view is they can bat out to save the Test match. There's every chance that a draw comes into the equation.

"An Australian win is odds-on favorite, then it's a draw, then it's an Indian win," the 62-year-old candidly went on to add.

Asked what message he would give to the Indian team ahead of Day 5 of what has been an absorbing contest, Shastri replied that he would want to see some real fight from the Indian batters. The former head coach commented:

"Guys, hang in there. This series is not yet over. It will demand a lot of character. You have it in you to bat through the day and save the game, depending on what the state of the game is at tea time. But, do not, for one minute, give up. You were far behind in this contest.

"You came back because of Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy. Now, on this final day, show courage, show character. Try and save this game. If you do, Australia will feel the pressure in Sydney. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is not theirs until they win. A win for India means Australia don't touch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for more than 10 years. So don't give it to them easily," Shastri went on to add.

In response to Australia's first innings total of 474, India were in big trouble at 221-7. However, Nitish Reddy (114) notched up his maiden Test ton, while Washington Sundar contributed a defiant 50 as the visitors recovered to post 369.

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India needs to pull off record chase to win MCG Test

India will have to rewrite the history books to win the fourth Test against Australia at the MCG. The Aussies already have a lead of 333 and no team has chased such a big target in Melbourne. The highest chase at the venue is 332, which was achieved by England way back in 1928. This remains the only instance of a total of 300-plus being chased at the iconic venue.