Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja said that Team India have become the favourites across the world because they are doing the same thing that Pakistan players used to do under the leadership of Imran Khan.
Team India over the last few months has been ruthless in all three formats both at home as well as in away conditions.
The side defeated Australia in their backyard, twice on the trot, and recently crushed England in all three formats in the home series and for the fifth straight year, they have ended the year at the top of the ICC Test rankings.
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However, the bigger challenge awaits Virat Kohli & CO when they will take New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship at Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Ahead of the ICC even former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja spoke about the Indian team dynamics and hailed skipper Kohli for his aggressive approach.
In an interview with India News, former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja lauded Team India for having a game plan which is based on aggression and correlated dominance of Team India to the Imran Khan-led Pakistan side in the past.
He added that there were 2-3 boxes left unticked earlier but now Team India have all the bases covered because of which they have become one of the favourite team across the world.
“India has turned into a brilliant side. There is aggression and a controlled madness in Virat Kohli’s captaincy. And I believe, the game plan is based on aggression which helps in releasing the negativity from the system and sets you free.
“So, India is doing what we used to do under Imran Khan’s leadership. So, I feel happy. There were 2-3 boxes which India weren’t ticking earlier and they have been doing it for over a decade now.
“That’s why they have become one of the favourite teams across the world. Wherever they tour, they win,” Ramiz Raja told India News.
Raja remarked that Team India’s ability to win away from home has made them a commanding team in World cricket.
“Unless you don’t win overseas matches, you don’t express your command. And we see how well they performed in Australia with a B Team,” he said.
Ramiz Raja further compared the two sides saying that although Kiwis have an advantage because they can get acclimatized to the conditions during the two Tests against England, India has more 'talent'.
He added that in a matchup of smart game plans, Indian players' 'natural abilities' could be the difference in the match.
“The sooner they acclimatise the condition, the better for Team India. New Zealand has arrived early and they do have the advantage. But overall, India is a more talented side than New Zealand.
“The Kiwis follow a single game plan and if it fails, they lose. Whereas India has the game plan and are also backed by natural talent. Sometimes when your game plan backfires, you win matches relying upon the natural abilities,” he concluded.
After the final of the WTC final, Virat Kohli-led side will lock horns against England in the five-match Test series which will start from 4th August.
(India News inputs)
