New Delhi, January 02, 2021: Former Pakistan speedster Shoiab Akhtar has heaped rich praises on Team India, its captain and the entire dressing room for their historic comeback in the recently-concluded Boxing Day Test against Australia.
Akhtar, who had earlier termed “mighty” India’s Adelaide debacle as “embarrassing”, has hailed Ajinkya Rahane for leading from the front and the entire Indian room to back a youngster like Mohammed Siraj, who overcame personal loss to star in India’s glorious win at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
In an exclusive interview with Sports Today, the World’s fastest bowler added that India backing Siraj shows that the players are backed regardless of their caste, race and creed. Further, he lauded the character of the India players, saying that they bounced back despite not having Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami on their side.
“Teams are not made on the field. Teams are made in dressing rooms. In order to regroup yourself, after getting hammered by Australia for 36. I think the dressing room has played a part in that.
“I saw Ajinkya Rahane fight. He fought with his bat. The fight was out there to see, between the bat and the ball. India didn’t have Virat Kohli, Ishant, Shami. This was half the team, by the way. Kohli is a team and a half anyways. So is Rohit.
“Ajinkya Rahane made sure he was going to come out as a brand with the bat and the performances. His captaincy was also smart. His bowling changes, the way he used Bumrah, the way his Siraj. It was difficult for him after having lost his father. He got the support from his teammates. It shows the faith India has on their players in the dressing room, regardless of the caste, race and creed. It could have been the best moment for his father, but unfortunately he was not able to see that. That goes to show how the dressing room backed the player according to the reports published in indiatoday.in.
“Ajinkya Rahane played a pivotal part, the fitness of Bumrah and other guys,” Shoaib Akhtar told while speaking to Boria Majumdar on Sports Today.
