Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-Ul-Haq lauded the Shikhar Dhawan-led Team India for playing the second T20I against Sri Lanka with only 5 batters available. India had only 11 players available to them after 9 players were in isolation including Krunal Pandya who had tested positive for COVID-19.

India gave the full-strength Sri Lanka team a good fight in the 2^nd T20I despite making 132 batting first, but stretched the match till the last over, losing in the end by 4 wickets. In his latest YouTube video, Inzamam was impressed by the character shown by the Indian team when almost half of the players were unavailable.

“Team India was severely affected due to COVID as eight of their players, besides Krunal Pandya, were unavailable. They had the option to pull out of the game but decided to go ahead and play the second T20I. This proves that Team India are not scared of defeat.

When you are not afraid of losing, victory will find its way towards you. They trusted the players who are available to play in the squad. Bhuvneshwar Kumar batted as high as No. 6 since Team India had only five batters,” Inzamam said.

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“India are playing very strong cricket these days because, mentally, they are ready to face tough challenges. They are sending players to England where injury has hit the Team India camp. They lost the 2nd T20I but not without giving a fight. Although they only managed 132 on the board, Sri Lanka won the match with two balls to spare. It was a commendable effort by Team India,” he added.

The former Pakistan captain was all praises for India coach Rahul Dravid and lauded him for instilling the never-say-die spirit in the players of his team.

“I will credit Rahul Dravid for Team India’s mental strength. Correcting techniques of players is one thing but making them mentally strong is another. When teams have such players, it is very difficult for sides to beat them. Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game. But I would say it was a brave decision from Team India to play the match despite lack of options available,” Inzamam said.