Former Indian wicket-keeper, Deep Dasgupta applauded Team India for the amount of character and determination they have shown in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy despite the injury woes that have haunted them time and time again in this tour.
Even before Team India went to Australia, ace pacer, Ishant Sharma was ruled out of the tour with a side strain injury and further missed the services of Rohit Sharma for the first two-Tests due to a hamstring tear.
After a batting debacle in the first Test-match captain Virat Kohli went back home for his paternity leave. To worsen the wounds more Mohammad Shami was also ruled out of the series after the first Test-match with a right-arm fracture.
The injury concerns continued to haunt Ajinkya Rahane and his men as Umesh Yadav (calf injury) was ruled out of the remaining two games after the Boxing Day Test at MCG. while KL Rahul came back home without playing a single Test after getting hit on his left wrist during a nets session.
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Ravindra Jadeja (left thumb fracture) and Hanuma Vihari's (hamstring tear) injuries that they suffered during the Sydney Test ruled them out of the final game in Brisbane while Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the series decider due to an abdominal strain.
Despite being battered and bruised, Ajinkya Rahane-led Team India showed great resilience and application and batted 131 overs in the fourth innings of the Sydney Test-match to snatch a miraculous draw and keep the series leveled at 1-1.
Former Indian player, Deep Dasgupta praised the Indian cricket team for the show they have put down despite facing blows.
"This is a very tough Indian team there are no two ways about it, especially the last two games. This is definitely one of the toughest Indian teams ever. But I'd say there have been tougher teams in the 60s and 70s, the conditions were different.
We have to keep the conditions in mind, the series that is happening right now, almost 6 months of staying in the bubble and you have to factor in all of that. Toughness is not just about the sport that we see or the games that we are watching on air. This is a tough tour no doubt, mentally and physically," Deep Dasgupta said on Sports Today.
The tour has tested India not just physically but mentally as well. They have been living in a bio-bubble since their arrival from the UAE in November last year after spending nearly 3 months in a bio-secure environment at the IPL 2020, which Deep Dasgupta acknowledged.
"The biggest challenge is the mental fatigue (playing the final Test of a series). Even normally when you're there away from home for almost 2 months, anyway it's so tiring physically yes but mentally it's tiring. And all the Indian players, except for maybe Pujara and Vihari, they've been away for almost 6 months," he said.
Team India will have to find a replacement for Jadeja, Vihari, and possibly Bumrah, for the next Test which begins at the Gabba on January 15.
(Sports Today inputs)
