Ramiz Raja credits Ravi Shastri for India's victory in Australia

Former Pakistan batsman Ramiz Raja has heaped praise on Team India for their recent victory in Australia. Team India defied all the odds and exceeded all the expectations to register a come-from-behind win over the hosts. After losing the first Test in Adelaide, the visitors bounced back in style to clinch the Test series 2-1 last month.

The series started on a disastrous note for India as they lost the first game by eight wickets. The tourists were all out for just 36 in the second innings of the game as Australia blew them away. Virat Kohli’s departure and several injury setbacks made things worse for India. But the team bounced back in style and overcame all the hurdles to win the series.

India made a big statement by winning the second Test in Melbourne before registering a famous draw in the third Test. The Ajinkya Rahane-led side had saved their best for the fourth Test as they chased down 328 on the fifth day of the game to clinch the series in Brisbane. It was Australia’s first defeat at the venue since 1988.

Ramiz Raja on India’s win:

Speaking about India’s triumph Down Under, Ramiz Raja started by praising Virat Kohli. The former cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out Kohli’s contribution in the team, saying that the 32-year old has ‘provided an aggression’. Speaking further, he said that India needed some calmness after the defeat in Adelaide and Rahane provided exactly that.

“I really like Virat Kohli because he has lifted everyone in the system and has provided an aggression. He has a lot of contribution in this team. At the time, India needed Ajinkya Rahane because there was a need to bring a calmness within the team after getting all out for 36 in Adelaide. He really handled it well,” Ramiz Raja said while speaking on YouTube channel Cricket Baaz with Waheed Khan.

Raja, however, went on to give the credit to head coach Ravi Shastri for India’s turnaround in Australia. He was all praise for Shastri for the way the latter handled the situation and motivated the team after the debacle in Adelaide. Raja also had some words of praise for India’s new players who made the most of the opportunity in Australia.

“I give the most credit to coach Ravi Shastri because brain trust comes under pressure after getting all out for 36. To lift up the team at that time, and when superstars are also not available, still creating an environment in the dressing room that we are not less than any teams, and then also explaining the situation to the players, is not easy. The new players that came also performed really well,” said Raja.