India 'taking no prisoners' in Australia, says coach Shastri

The Indian coach did not believe the hosts' new, polite approach would affect his skipper

brisbane - Ravi Shastri vowed on Sunday India will "take no prisoners" in their quest to win a Test series in Australia for the first time, but cautioned against underestimating the struggling home team.
India play four Tests and three ODIs from early December, with three Twenty20s before that, starting in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Despite Australia's form nosediving since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in March resulted in bans for Steve Smith and David Warner, the former spin great doesn't believe they have lost their aura.
"I don't think so," he said. "I always believe no team is weak at home. We might have three or four players not playing when a team comes to India but God forbid if anyone says it is a weak Indian team because you will be surprised."
Shastri didn't want to be drawn on Australia's new "friendlier" approach to playing cricket under Justin Langer, which has seen them tone down the confrontational style that brought then so much success. But he has instructed his team to play hard but fair. "We will be taking no prisoners, but are focusing on our game rather than what is happening outside," he said.
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who has fed off the Australian "in-your-face" attitude in recent years, urged them last week not to totally abandon this aspect of their game. His Indian counterpart Virat Kohli is another who has thrived previously on the combative rivalry. Shastri did not believe the hosts' new, polite approach would affect his skipper.
"He won't take his foot off the gas that is for sure," he warned.
"He loves coming to Australia, he's passionate about his game and the pitches here suit his style of play." Shastri said all-rounder Hardik Pandya will be missed during the tough tour Down Under.
Hardik had suffered an acute lower back spasm during the game against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and is currently recovering.
"I think one player who we will certainly miss in the squad is Hardik Pandya, who is sidelined due to an injury. Pandya lends balance to the side because of his ability to operate as a bowler as well as a batsman which allows us to play an extra bowler," Shastri told reporters.