Danish Kaneria congratulates 'Asia's best team' India for qualifying for WTC final

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has congratulated Team India for qualifying for the final of the inaugural edition of thee ICC World Test Championship. India needed just a draw in the recently-concluded fourth Test against England to secure their place in the final as well as clinch the four-match series.

But the Virat Kohli-led side completed the task in style by defeating England by an innings and 25 runs inside three days.  Having conceded a first-innings lead of 160, England needed to come up with vastly improved batting performance to claw their way back in front of India. But their weakness against spin was laid bare again as India bowled out the visitors for just 135 runs.

Any chance of seeing a fightback from England evaporated in a matter of minutes after they started their second innings. Their top-order once again faltered as England found them 4 down for just 30. At one stage, it looked like they would not even cross the 100-run mark after being reduced to 65 for 6. However, a 44-run stand between Lawrence and Ben Foakes helped them avoid the embarrassment.

But the lower-order could not delay the inevitable for long as England were all out for just 135 runs. The spin duo of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin wreaked havoc, taking all 10 wickets between them. Axar picked up 5 for 48 while Ashwin picked up 5 for47. Lawrence was England’s highest scorer in the second innings with 50 runs.

The rise of Team India’s Golden Young Generation: Danish Kaneria

Following the game, Danish Kaneria took to Twitter to congratulate Team India. The former Pakistan spinner, who never shies away from expressing his adulation for India, called the team the best in Asia. He stated that India deserved to be in the WTC final. He also opined that the latest win has marked the rise of ‘Team India’s Golden Young Generation’, tweeting:

“Congratulations team India for Wining the series and qualifying in WTC finals and Asia best team to Qualified well deserved. The Rise of Team India’s Golden Young Generation.”

India and England will now lock horns in T20Is and ODIs. The five-match T20I series will begin from March 12. The entire series will take place in Ahmedabad. The three-match ODI series will then take place from March 23 in Pune.