Rookie Mohammed Siraj showed great character and class at MCG as he finished with five wickets in two innings and played a vital role in India’s win by 8 wickets.
Veteran Pakistani sprinter Shoiab Akhtar praised the Indian team leadership and dressing room for supporting Mohammed Siraj during his difficult time and acknowledged that it shows that India stands behind its players regardless of caste, creed and color. Akhtar also greeted the alternate captain Ajinkya rahane for marvelously leading the Indian team to victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
The Rawalpindi Express was in awe of Team India’s return against Australia at MCG after a humiliating collapse of their batting lineup with a mere 36 score in the first Test in Adelaide. Akhtar gave great credit to India’s success to Rahane for his wonderful captaincy and fierce fight with the willow despite the absence of key players such as Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
“Teams are not made on the field. The teams are made in changing rooms. To regroup, after Australia hammered me 36. I think the dressing room played a role in that. I saw Ajinkya Rahane fight. He fought with his bat. The fight was there to watch, between bat and ball. India did not have Virat Kohli, Ishant, Shami. By the way, this was half the team. Kohli is a team and a half anyway. So is Rohit, ”Shoaib Akhtar said while speaking to Sports Today.
“Ajinkya Rahane made sure it came out as a brand,” says Shoaib Akhtar.
The debutante Mohammed siraj He showed great character and class at MCG as he finished with five wickets in two innings and played a vital role in India’s win by 8 wickets. Akhtar believes Siraj could do well as the team fully supported him in the locker room. The former Pakistani cricketer also claimed that the visiting nation has a chance of winning the series if it continues to play the same way.
“Ajinkya Rahane made sure he came out as a brand with the bat and the performances. His captaincy was also smart. His bowling changes, the way he wore Bumrah, the way his Siraj. It was difficult for him after he lost his father. He received the support of his peers.
“It shows the faith that India has in its players in the dressing room, regardless of caste, race and creed. It might have been the best time for his father, but unfortunately he couldn’t see it. That shows how the dressing room supported the player. Looking at the mood in the dressing room, I can say that India can regroup and have a chance to win the series, ”concluded Shoaib Akhtar.
