Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has come hard at Ravi Shastri for his comments on the current Indian team that this team has already done things which no other Indian team has done in the past.
Indirectly, it is a jibe taken at the former captains including Azhar, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar who had also led India with courage and conviction but haven’t given the desired results.
It must be noted here that cricket in those days was far more competitive than what it is today. With each passing day, the game has become more and more batsman friendly and batsmen like Kohli has just cashed on the opportunity.
There is no doubt about the fact that he is the only Indian captain to lead India to two series victories in Sri Lanka but it is unfair to compare those previous Sri Lankan teams with the current one which lacks penetration and doesn’t have a single impact player in the team.
Speaking at the pre launch event of 3D mobile game Azhar-the Captain, the former captain said,
“The Indian team in those days were different to the team now so it is unfair to compare. He (Shastri) was also part of the team in those days so he is also including himself. The bowlers were different, the opposition teams were different so it is difficult to compare between the two eras.”
Azhar also conceded that Anil Kumble took the correct decision to quit as Team India head coach, as it was in the best interest of his self-respect.
“It is sad that something like this happened to Anil. Knowing Anil, I don’t think he is that type of a person. Maybe he thought it is better to be away than losing your self-respect. I think he took the right decision under the circumstances,” Azharuddin said.
Meanwhile, India is currently in Sri Lanka and fighting it out for the 3 match Test series against the Islanders. They have hardly been tested in any of the departments and have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series with the final match still to go.