India was purely outplayed by New Zealand in the final of inaugural edition of World Test Championship (WTC) at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton as the Kane Williamson-led team claimed the title with a comfortable 8-wicket win.
After losing the big final, there was a lot of talk amongst fans about the Indian team lacking the fire or the killer instinct, but former India batsman Kirti Azad has ridiculed any such notions and said that the people of India lack sportsman spirit.
“I think once you lose, you will say that there is no killer instinct. That’s not the point. The point is that you generally play to win. And in India, we basically have the winning spirit and not sportsman spirit in public. If somebody plays better and wins, then you should appreciate it but here it’s brickbat all the time,” Azad said on NDTV during a special episode marking 38 years of India's 1983 World Cup win.
The former cricketer who was a part of the Indian team that won the World Cup back in 1983, then pointed out some similarities he has observed between that team and the current team.
“I feel that it’s nothing. There is no difference. I remember the run out of Yashpal ji when he ran Alan Lamb out with a direct hit. What you see Ravindra Jadeja is doing today, he (Yashpal) was doing it then,” the 62-year-old said.
“Look at Kapil’s catch? Have you ever seen such a catch being taken after 1983? I have not. Every era has their own. We had only one camera, now there are 30 different ones to access who are really good,” he added.
After WTC final, Team India will be taking on England in a five-match Test series slated to begin from August 4.
(With NDTV Inputs)
