Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd (Photo- Getty)
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Captain of one of the most dominant teams in cricket history, Clive Lloyd of West Indies heaped rich praises on the current Indian cricket team and even called them the best Indian team of all-time. This praise came after India’s recent Test series wins over Australia in Australia and England at home.
Indian Cricket Team. Image Credits: BCCI
The two-time (1975 and 1979) World Cup winner Clive Lloyd highlighted how the current crop of Indian players is much fitter than their previous generations. He added that India currently has plenty of variety on their roster, which makes them the best-ever.
Judging By Their Performances From That (Australia 2020-21) Series, You Can Say That This Is The Best Indian Team Ever: Clive Lloyd
The 76-year-old had made his Test debut against India in 1966 and played his last Test match against Australia in 1984. Meanwhile, he formed a West Indies team that was so power-packed that they didn’t lose a Test series from 1980-1995, with him laying the groundwork for the same.
West Indies captain Clive Lloyd during his playing days (Photo- Getty)
Talk of Virat Kohli’s team being the best-ever Indian side has made the rounds ever since the Men in Blue earned a historic victory over Australia in the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy series.
“They are a much better side because they have variety, the players are fitter and more professional… Yeah, I would think so (On this current team being the best-ever)… Don’t forget they came from behind most times in Australia, and that was excellent. Judging by their performances from that series, you can say that this is the best Indian team ever,” Clive Lloyd said in a chat with The Telegraph, citing the same series.
India are currently the No. 1 ranked Test team in the world. They could further establish their status as the best Test team, if they beat New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship, to be played from June 18-22 in Southampton, England.
I Admire Rishabh Pant And India Are Where They Are Because Of Jasprit Bumrah: Clive Lloyd
Clive Lloyd, who played 110 Tests and 87 ODIs, making 7515 and 1977 runs respectively with a total of 20 centuries, showed his admiration for the young keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and also credited most of India’s success to Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
“For quite a number of years, Rahul Dravid was your best batsman. I am now admiring young Rishabh Pant,” added Lloyd.
The 76-year-old highlighted the impact of Jasprit Bumrah on the current Indian team. He said that more often than not, India turns to Bumrah in times of dire need and the bowlers seldom disappoint.
“He’s (Bumrah) thinking all the time and can surprise you any time. He can bowl the vicious bouncer, he can get the ball to swing around, he bowls the slower ones. That is why India are where they are at the moment. He can provide breakthroughs at a time when the side is struggling,” Lloyd observed.
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