As the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 is set to kick off with a five-match Test series between England and India on 4 August at Trent Bridge, former Australian cricketer Brett Lee on Monday (August 2) hailed the Indian cricket team’s bench strength and bowling attack.

Before making it to the WTC 2021 final against New Zealand, India made history by winning the Test series 2-1 in Australia without several key players, including skipper Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma.

Hailing Indian youngsters’ performances against Australia earlier this year, Lee highlighted the importance of bench strength, especially in the COVID-19 era where the players are forced to live in bio-bubble for a longer period that brings mental fatigue.

Read Also: ENG v IND 2021: VVS Laxman gives crucial advice to Ajinkya Rahane ahead of 1st Test

According to a report on ICC’s official website, Lee stated: “The bench strength is crucial for a team to do well and India’s performance in Australia bears testimony to that. Teams are not of just 11 players anymore.

There are some 16-17 of them and it is about having others who are good enough to stand up at the world level at any given time. Also, with traveling in bubbles, there will be players who get extended rests and others who get fatigued, but that is how the times are.”

Lauding India’s “fantastic” bowling attack, the former pacer said there are a lot of young Indian bowlers ready to take over from the seniors for several years to come.

He signed off by saying, “A word here about the Indian bowling attack, which I feel has been fantastic. They have experienced bowlers and some good young guys coming through. They have enough pace, are excited and enthusiastic, ready to take over from the likes of Bumrah and Shami. This trend may help India do well for the next 10, 15, or even 20 years.”

(icc-cricket inputs)