Tendulkar, Kohli lead cricket fraternity in hailing Indian team for Melbourne Test win

New Delhi, December 29

The Indian cricket fraternity, led by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, on Tuesday hailed the national team for the “resilience and character” it showed to redeem itself after the Adelaide debacle and win the second Test in Melbourne.

India, led by Ajinkya Rahane, levelled the four-match Test series 1-1 after defeating Australia by 8 wickets in the second match at the MCG. Rahane led from the front with a match-winning 112 in India’s first innings.

“To win a Test match without Rohit, Ishant & Shami is a terrific achievement. Loved the resilience and character shown by the team to put behind the loss in the 1st Test and level the series. Brilliant win. Well done TEAM INDIA,” tweeted Tendulkar.

To win a Test match without Virat, Rohit, Ishant & Shami is a terrific achievement.

Loved the resilience and character shown by the team to put behind the loss in the 1st Test and level the series.

Brilliant win.
Well done TEAM INDIA! 👏🏻 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/64A8Xes8NF

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 29, 2020

Kohli, who returned home on paternity leave after leading the side in the first Test, praised Rahane and the team for the win.

“What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team. Couldn’t be happier for the boys and specially Jinks who led the team to victory amazingly. Onwards and upwards from here,” Kohli said in tweet.

What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team. Couldn't be happier for the boys and specially Jinks who led the team to victory amazingly. Onwards and upwards from here 💪🇮🇳

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 29, 2020

India came into the Melbourne Test on the back of a humiliating defeat in Adelaide in the pink ball day/night match where they were all-out for 36, their lowest ever score.

Star batsman Rohit Sharma, who is currently rehabilitating in Australia after an injury, praised the team for showing composure in difficult times.

“Fantastic win for the Team India at the MCG. Character and composure shown throughout the game was excellent to watch @bcci,” Rohit tweeted.

Fantastic win for the Team India at the MCG. Character and composure shown throughout the game was excellent to watch @bcci

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) December 29, 2020

However, former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi had a word of caution for the ‘Men in Blue’ and advised them to stay calm.

“36 all out was terribly ‘freakish’ but an 8wkt win is not ... I hope Indns can forget both ... one as a nightmare & the other as nothing to float on cloud nine ... still 2 more Tests to go..& plenty of work to do..stay calm Fellas as yur Capt @ajinkyarahane88 & ‘think’ how to outwit OZ!,” tweeted Bedi.

36 all out was terribly ‘freakish’ but an 8wkt win is not...I hope Indns can forget both..one as a nightmare & the other as nothing to float on cloud nine..still 2 more Tests to go..& plenty of work to do..stay calm Fellas as yur Capt @ajinkyarahane88 & ‘think’ how to outwit OZ!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) December 29, 2020

India opener Shubman Gill, who made 45 and 35 not out in the two innings at the MCG in his debut Test, tweeted: “Overcoming all the odds. Strong showing by the team at MCG. Thank you to all the fans for your support.”

Former India batsman VVS Laxman singled out debutants Gill and Mohammed Siraj for special praise.

“Lot of positives from this win. Rahane led the side brilliantly, bowlers were relentless but the biggest positive is the performance of two debutants. Both of them were confident and not overawed by the big occasion. Strength of Indian cricket is their strong bench strength,” he tweeted.

Ex-India opener Gautam Gambhir termed the win as a “stunning performance”.

Former India pacer Irfan Pathan said: “Comebacks are always harder but team India did it with class.”

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar called the win at the MCG “historic” as he compared the aftermath of India’s earlier lowest Test score of 42 in 1974 and the 36 in Adelaide.

“After the 42, India went onto lose the next Text by an innings and 78 runs. After 36 India go onto win the next Test. Wow! It’s a historic win because it came after a historic loss,” Manjrekar said.

Another former India batsman Suresh Raina congratulated the Indian team for the “fantastic” comeback win.

Congratulations Team India on a fantastic come back. @ajinkyarahane88’s great captaincy lead to an incredible win. @RealShubmanGill well done, Way to go! #INDvsAUSTest pic.twitter.com/pmo60h1xAG

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) December 29, 2020

“@ajinkyarahane88’s great captaincy lead to an incredible win. @RealShubmanGill well done, Way to go!” he tweeted.

World Cup-winning former skipper Kapil Dev also hailed the team for the win and said in Kohli’s absence, Rahane showed exemplary leadership.

“Hats off to Indian cricket team, what a fantastic game after playing poor cricket in Adelaide, you made us proud. Ajinkya Rahane, you and your team, proud of you, you didn’t have your captain but you showed the way and carry on doing that, well done,” said Dev in a video message from his Twitter handle.

Weldone Hats off Team India @BCCI @ajinkyarahane88 @imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc pic.twitter.com/CtKXRct2xy

— Kapil Dev (@therealkapildev) December 29, 2020

Former India batsman VVS Laxman singled out debutants Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj for special praise.

WOW!! Incredible comeback. What a win. Fine display of mental strength and character. Congratulations to each and every member of the Squad. @BCCI #INDvAUS

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 29, 2020

“Lot of positives from this win. Rahane led the side brilliantly, bowlers were relentless but the biggest positive is the performance of two debutants. Both of them were confident and not overawed by the big occasion. Strength of Indian cricket is their strong bench strength,” he tweeted.

Lot of positives from this win. Rahane led the side brilliantly, bowlers were relentless but the biggest positive is the performance of two debutants. Both of them were confident and not overawed by the big occasion. Strength of Indian cricket is their strong bench strength.

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 29, 2020

Former India opener Virender Sehwag also took to Twitter to praise the performance of Rahane and his team.

“A really special win at the MCG. Great Determination and great character. Rahane led from the from the front, the bowlers were terrific and Gill is chill,” tweeted Sehwag.

A really special win at the MCG.
Great Determination and great character. Rahane led from the fron,the bowlers were terrific and Gill is chill. pic.twitter.com/X3UO8H2LgR

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 29, 2020

Former Australian player Tom Moody praised India for the comeback but had stern words for the hosts.

Stunning response from India after the 1st test, Australia’s top order have been horribly exposed, some tough decisions required. #AUSvIND

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) December 29, 2020

“Stunning response from India after the 1st Test, Australia’s top order have been horribly exposed, some tough decisions required. #AUSvsIND,” tweeted Moody. PTI

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