‘Mindset of Indian players changed after Australia series’ – Inzamam ul Haq

Living up to the expectations, India and England delivered a fascinating contest in the first Test. The match was heading towards a thrilling finish but rain ruined what was set for a blockbuster Sunday. India had their noses ahead at the end of Day 4 and needed just 157 more runs to take an early lead in the series. The match looked done and dusted for England when India took a 95 runs lead in the first inning. However, skipper Joe Root stepped up to the occasion and stroked a magnificent hundred to put England in front. Just as the match looked like drifting away from India, the bowlers bounced back and blew away the England middle and lower order as India stormed back in the game.

Former Pakistan skipper Inzamam ul Haq is in awe of the new India and feels the series win over Australia earlier this year changed the mindset of the team. A down and out India, against all odds, pulled off a historic win over Australia to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Inzamam also named Rishabh Pant as the player who impressed him the most.

“I have said the same after the end of the Australia series. Since that series, the mindset of the players has changed drastically. Now, if the big players don’t score runs, it does not have a significant impact on the end result, as the youngsters are stepping up and playing wonderful knocks to help the team. I personally want to see Rishabh Pant’s batting in the series. The way he plays the game, he unfortunately got out quickly in the first innings, but he was trying to play his natural game even in the tough conditions,” said Inzamam on his YouTube channel.

The first Test delivered some riveting action and Inzamam feels the remaining four games of the series will be no different.

“It is going to be a wonderful series. Watching such exciting youngsters performing well in English conditions will give joy to cricket lovers. Team India had a golden opportunity to win the first Test and take the lead in the series, but anyways I hope we will see the same level of exciting cricket for the rest of the series,” concluded Inzamam.