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Former players hail Indian win

New Delhi: Former cricketers hailed India’s victory in the third Test against Australia on Saturday as a “memorable achievement” and said it was all the more creditable as it came after the turmoil that followed the Sydney Test.

The players also lavished praise on skipper Anil Kumble who showed remarkable poise in the difficult times and succeeded in regrouping the team after two consecutive losses.

Gutsy decision

“Kumble’s decision to bat first was great after a lot of people had written about the bounce on the wicket. Had we won the Test at Sydney (where a number of crucial decisions went against India) things would have been even better,” said former captain and Chairman of selection committee Dilip Vengsarkar.

“I hope the team continues to play in the same manner at Adelaide (in the fourth and final Test from Jan. 24-28).”

“It was a tremendous victory especially considering the reputation of the Perth wicket and the opposition. I had always felt we can beat Australia in Australia and it has been proved,” he added.

Another former Test captain Ajit Wadekar and left-arm spinner Bapu Nadkarni also termed the victory a tremendous one and rated it as one of the top three in the annals of Indian cricket.

“It was a great victory and would rate it only behind our wins in England and West Indies (in 1971). The team showed tremendous positive attitude by deciding to bat first and put Australia on the back foot,” Wadekar said.

Masterstroke

“The decision to introduce Virender Sehwag into the attack today was a masterstroke. It reminded me of the Oval Test (against England in 1971) where I brought on (Bhagwat) Chandrasekhar for (Bishen) Bedi,” Wadekar recalled.

“Kumble is a tremendous fighter but does not show it outwardly. He has what I call controlled aggression. Pathan also bowled and batted very well. He looks to be a capable all-rounder,” he added.

Nadkarni echoed Wadekar’s views and said, “This victory should go down as among the top three by India in Tests. I was very impressed by the way the team played aggressively and as a team from the first ball. They showed the zest for victory.”

Tremendous captaincy

“Beating Australia in Australia is not a joke. Had things gone our way (umpiring decision-wise) we would have been up 2-1 now. I am very impressed by the way Kumble has led the team, it has been tremendous,” he said.

Former player Chandu Borde also lauded the team for shrugging off distracting controversies to keep the series alive.

“It is an amazing and fantastic victory because at one stage the Indian team was in a turmoil whether to stay back in Sydney or to proceed and fight back the Australians,” Borde said.

Borde praised comeback heroes Sehwag and Pathan for their fine show.

The 19-year-old pacer Ishant Sharma’s lion-hearted effort also caught the eye of Borde, who felt the bowler proved to be an exciting prospect.

Borde felt Kumble’s gritty leadership also had huge part to play in the Indian triumph.

Legendary spinner E.A.S. Prasanna also saluted the team’s effort considering it came after a week of off-field drama following the Sydney furore.

Former skipper K. Srikanth was also impressed by Kumble’s determination. “Hats off to each member of the team, particularly Kumble for his leadership qualities.” — PTI

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