Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar lauded the Indian team’s 8-wicket win over Australia in the MCG Test on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. India chased down the required 70 runs on the fourth day after losing only 2 wickets, to go 1-1 equal in the series.
Rahane's 112 in the first innings along with the performances of debutants Gill and Mohammad Siraj in both innings were the biggest positives for India in this match, something which would give them a lot of confidence going into the New Year Test in Sydney.
This was an amazing comeback from Team India, who were bowled out for 36 in their second innings of the Adelaide Test and lost the match by 8 wickets.
They were without Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav, who bowled 3.3 overs in the second innings before leaving the field with a calf injury.
Praising the performances, Akhtar said India showed their real character in Melbourne and that Rahane deserves a lot of credit for this memorable victory.
"Team India beat Australia like how you beat up a person in a sack. Characters are not made in crisis, they are exhibited. Team India has exhibited their talent when they were in deep crisis. This is Team India's character. The best part was that they showed heart and courage today.
They didn't have 3 of their star players but it didn't matter to them. Ajinkya Rahane quietly led the team but his success is making all the noise for him today. They say work hard in silence and let your success make the noise,” Akhtar said.
He was also impressed by debutants Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill, who both fared well in their first Test for India. Siraj picked five wickets including 3 in the second innings, while Gill made 45 and 35*, opening the innings and looked comfortable and solid in his technique.
"India brought in Siraj, he took 5 wickets. He is still young, couldn't be by his father's side when he passed away... He paid tribute to his father with his performance. Then came Gill, he's certainly a big star in the making. So Team India showed their character, that they have guts, heart, and courage.
AUS v IND 2020-21: "Setback Ka Jawaab Comeback Se" - Amitabh Bachchan hails India's MCG win
What impressed me the most was they should have fallen flat on their face in this match after the kind of defeat they suffered in the 1st Test. But they didn't fall down, they rose up to the challenge. When teams show their character like this, it doesn't matter which religion or country the players belong to, I feel very happy," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
