'The best Indian team I've seen' - Ali Bacher lauds India despite Centurion loss

Former South Africa Test captain Dr Ali Bacher lavished praise on Rohit Sharma-led team India despite their heavy defeat in the first Test at SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion. The visitors suffered a defeat by an innings and 32 runs in the opening Test.

Bacher insisted that the current Indian team is the best in red-ball cricket. The 81-year-old stated that earlier there were few pacers in the squad but now they have plenty of options.  

“This is the best Indian team I've seen. In Test cricket. Before, you used to have one or two good fast bowlers and that was it -- Kapil Dev and maybe (Javagal) Srinath. Now you’ve got premier fast bowlers and historically, when you got good fast bowlers, you dominate," Bacher said. 

He went on to lavish praise on India captain Rohit Sharma who has been in fine form. He also emphasized the ability of Virat Kohli and stated that he is a big admirer of the star Indian captain. 

"You’ve got a dashing opening batsman as the captain. From day one, he is after you. And you’ve got (Virat) Kohli, the best batsman today. Kohli has made this team because I always felt that with India, there was no rubbish said on the field. They behaved themselves. Good boys. Not Kohli. You can see him a mile off and he reminds me of an Australian. He’s injected that fighting spirit. I'm a big admirer of his, he is the best batsman in the world today," the former cricketer added.