AUS vs IND: Shoaib Akhtar hails Team India’s dressing room spirit

Pakistan’s legendary pacer, Shoaib Akhtar has hailed Team India for backing Mohammed Siraj during a tough phase in his life showing that India backs players regardless of their caste, creed and color. Akhtar also praise India’s stand-in captain, Ajinkya Rahane for guiding India to a comprehensive victory in Boxing Day Test to level the four […]
 
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AUS vs IND: Shoaib Akhtar hails Team India’s dressing room spirit

Pakistan’s legendary pacer, Shoaib Akhtar has hailed Team India for backing Mohammed Siraj during a tough phase in his life showing that India backs players regardless of their caste, creed and color. Akhtar also praise India’s stand-in captain, Ajinkya Rahane for guiding India to a comprehensive victory in Boxing Day Test to level the four match series, 1-1.

Shoaib Akhtar, popularly nicknamed as the Rawalpindi Express heaped praise on India after making an incredible comeback in the second Test. India were bowled out for just 36 runs in the second innings of the first Test match. He also gave credit to Rahane for his wonderful captaincy, in the absence of key players like Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami.

“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,” Shoaib Akhtar said while speaking to Sports Today.

Also Read: AUS Vs IND: Natarajan Added To Test Squad, Rohit Sharma Named Vice-Captain

India can regroup and have a chance of winning the series: Shoaib Akhtar

Debutant, Siraj played a vital role in India’s victory over Australia in the Boxing Day Test Match, picking up five wickets. Akhtar believes that Siraj could do well because he was so well supported by his team-mates. Akhtar also stated that India could win the series if they continue to play the same way.

AUS vs IND: Shoaib Akhtar hails Team India’s dressing room spirit

“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,” said Akhtar.

“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. Looking at the mood in the dressing room, I can say India can regroup and have a chance of winning the series,” Shoaib Akhtar concluded.