Ex-cricketer and renowned commentator Vivek Razdan praised former India captain MS Dhoni and his successor Virat Kohli for India's success in Test cricket.
India recently created history by beating Australia at the Gabba and winning the Test series for the second time Down Under. It was Ajinkya Rahane who led the team to victory, but the contribution of Kohli can't be ignored who built the team for years.
Razdan also mentioned Dhoni's name, who retired from Test cricket in 2014, and said he too has a role to play in the current success of Team India. Dhoni didn't have a good record in the overseas Test series as a captain, but a lot of current players were guided by him including Kohli. Dhoni had backed him despite a tough tour in Australia and England.
ALSO READ: IND v ENG 2021: "Not thinking about WTC final as it cost us series in New Zealand," says Virat Kohli
Speaking to journalist Indranil Basu on SK Live, Razdan said, “We always think about the destination and get happy with it. What we saw in Brisbane (versus Australia) wasn’t an overnight success. It’s a process in place for the past few years. It started under MS Dhoni, then Virat Kohli continued.
"Ajinkya Rahane may have led India to the win, but Kohli’s contribution was equal. Ever since Virat Kohli took charge, we saw a different Indian team. A side that’s fearless.
"We tend to overanalyze Kohli and knit pick aspects of his personality that we don’t like, but here is Kohli, the complete package. He is what he is, and ever since he took charge, the team has transformed."
Razdan didn't forget to highlight the contribution by India batting coach Vikram Rathour. Rathour made the tail-enders spend more time in the nets with the bat which helped them on the Australia tour.
“In our times, the bowlers didn’t get batting practice. During India’s tour of Pakistan in 1989, Our first Test was in Karachi. Before a practice session, I carried my entire kitbag. A senior asked me why I was carrying such a big kitbag. I replied that it has my bat, pad, guards, and helmet. He told me that as a bowler, all I need are my spikes.
"There would be so many days that we wouldn’t practice any batting at all and still managed to get some runs in the big games. Coaches from that era were like – batsmen to bat and bowlers to bowl."
(With SportsKeeda Inputs)
