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Cricket Players‘When you aren't afraid of losing, victory finds its way towards you’: Inzamam on India playing 2nd T20I with 5 batsmen
Inzamam was impressed by the character shown by the Indian team when almost half of the players were unavailable for the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka.
Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq lauded the Shikhar Dhawan-led Team India for playing the second T20I against Sri Lanka with only 5 batters available. The Indian camp in Sri Lanka was rocked by a Covid case on Tuesday which resulted in the postponement of the 2nd T20I. All-rounder Krunal Pandya returned a positive test and was ruled out of the series, along with 8 other players who have been identified as his close contacts.
There were several reports that said the series would be called off but the second game went ahead, as per the revised schedule, in which Sri Lanka clinched a 4-wicket win to level the series 1-1.
Inzamam was impressed by the character shown by the Indian team when almost half of the players were unavailable. In his latest YouTube video, the former Pakistan captain said India deciding to go ahead with the available bench strength shows their mental strength.
“Team India was severely affected due to COVID as eight of their players, besides Krunal Pandya, were unavailable. They had the option to pull out of the game but decided to go ahead and play the second T20I. This proves that Team India are not scared of defeat. When you are not afraid of losing, victory will find its way towards you. They trusted the players who are available to play in the squad. Bhuvneshwar Kumar batted as high as No. 6 since Team India had only five batters,” Inzamam said.
“India are playing very strong cricket these days because, mentally, they are ready to face tough challenges. They are sending players to England where injury has hit the Team India camp. They lost the 2nd T20I but not without giving a fight. Although they only managed 132 on the board, Sri Lanka won the match with two balls to spare. It was a commendable effort by Team India,” he added.
Inzamam also heaped praise on head coach Rahul Dravid and credited him for instilling the never-say-die attitude in the players of his team.
“I will credit Rahul Dravid for Team India’s mental strength. Correcting techniques of players is one thing but making them mentally strong is another. When teams have such players, it is very difficult for sides to beat them. Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game. But I would say it was a brave decision from Team India to play the match despite lack of options available,” Inzamam said.
