Australia head to the Boxing Day clash at the the Melbourne Cricket Ground at a high point after visitors were knocked down by eight gates within three days of the Adelaide opening test.
The dramatic victory was built on the basis of devastating spells from spearheads Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cumminswho bowled India in the second innings for their lowest Test score of 36.
Langer said it was an incredible effort and he wants it to be repeated.
“I said that to be a great team we have to win better after we win. Really good teams win and keep winning … that’s one area that we touched on,” he said.
“We have to start well on Boxing Day morning and then be consistent because India, as we know, will strike back as we saw in the first two days of the Adelaide friendly.”
After star opener David Warner was again disfellowshipped with a groin injury, Langer said Australia will stay at the same XI, save for last-minute issues.
That means pressured Joe Burns will keep his place as the opener after a handy 51 that doesn’t drop out in Adelaide. Matthew Wade once again raises orders to accompany him while all-rounder Cameron Green earns his second cap.
India faces far more selection problems as Captain Virat Kohli missed the last three tests for the birth of his first child.
Either the veteran KL Rahul or the uncovered Shubman Gill will be asked to take his place in fourth place while Ajinkya Rahane takes over the captaincy.
Although India has not officially confirmed this, star paceman Mohammed Shami is also expected to be absent after reportedly breaking his wrist after being struck by Cummins lightning in Adelaide.
It means they will do without two of their first choice bowlers and Ishant Sharma is still injured.
The setback opens the door to Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj or T Natarajan, none of whom have played at test level, to join Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav as the third sailor.
Langer said Kohli and Shami’s absence would not change the way Australia’s approach, but added: “When you get the best players out of a cricket team it naturally weakens them, it’s just a reality and it gives us an edge.” “”
Kohli pointed out that his team were too shy with the bat against Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in their second inning collapse last week, and also dumped a ton of discarded catches.
However, he expressed confidence the team would bounce back in Melbourne, where 30,000 fans a day will be admitted, equivalent to around a third capacity under coronavirus restrictions.
His views were supported by former Test captain and national chief voter Kris Srikkanth.
“The mindset has been too defensive in my opinion. You need to regroup. You have to have a little more positive intention. The best way is to just try,” he told Melbourne Age Thursday.
“But if you miss King Kohli it will be difficult. Let’s face it. And Shami. But I’m sure they will come out and fight.”
Srikkanth saw a positive result for India as Warner was again out.
“I think the Aussies beat Warner 30 percent, 30 percent (Steve) Smith, everyone else 30 percent combined. But bowling is very good,” he said.
