The India cricket team suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of hosts South Africa in the IND vs SA 1st Test. However, despite their shortcoming in Centurion, revolutionary Proteas administrator Ali Bacher has labeled Rohit Sharma & co. the best-ever Indian team in their 91-year Test cricket history.
Bacher is a former cricketer who played in the 1960s and 1970s and played a huge role in bringing South Africa back to the international fold in 1991. At 81, Bacher has seen it all. From playing international cricket to oranising rebel tours to holding a place in the ICC, the administrator has been involved in cricket at every possible level.
While talking with the Hindustan Times, Bacher labeled Rohit Sharma and his side the best Indian side he has ever seen. Comparing them to the 90s team, he highlighted how India only had one or two fast bowlers back then. He said:
“This is the best Indian team I’ve seen. In Test cricket. Before, you used to have one or two good fast bowlers, and that was it — Kapil Dev and maybe (Javagal) Srinath.
Talking about how having multiple high-quality fast bowlers has led to India’s success in the last few years and praising Rohit Sharma as captain and opening batsman, Bacher said:
“Now you’ve got premier fast bowlers, and historically, when you got good fast bowlers, you dominate. You’ve got a dashing opening batsman as the captain.“