Simon Katich says India deserved to win the Test series against Australia

The assistant coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders Simon Katich opined that India deserved to win the Test series against Australia. Katich, who is an Australian himself, also acknowledged Steve Smith and his troop for the great fight back in the series. He praised the Aussie team for the game they put up against the Indians right through the tour.

He has joined KKR for their IPL 2017 campaign where the team led by Gautam Gambhir will look to win their third title having already lifted the trophy twice. Katich further praised the Indian team saying that the hosts played exceptionally well and came back strong after that to show the opposition why they are the No.1 ranked team.

Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Katich said, “I must admit it was a fantastic cricket series. The Australia players played some fantastic cricket during the series. For a young team to put up a tough fight like they did was incredible. But unfortunately they fell on the final hurdle.”

The former cricketer also added, “India deserved a lot of credit for fighting back after they were handsomely beaten in Pune. They dug deep and showed why they are the number one team in the world at the moment. Regardless of what happened different times, I thought it was a fantastic series. Sometimes that happens in Test cricket, emotions get players do get carried away with the spirit of the moment stuff,” he added.

On Tuesday evening, the Knight Riders coach was seen at the practice session at Eden Gardens where the media got in touch with him. Katich also heaped praises on KKR bowlers Umesh and Kuldeep Yadav as the players are coming into the tournament after a great series-winning effort. While Umesh has been a revelation with the new ball and the older one, Kuldeep has impressed one and all with his dream debut as a chinaman bowler.

Captain Gautam Gambhir was seeing joining the KKR camp with the coach. Allrounders Shakib Al Hasan and Chris Woakes will join the squad next week. Trent Boult, New Zealand quick, who is not playing against South Africa in the on-going Test series will join the squad early next week.

The KKR outfit will be eager to win their third IPL trophy this season.