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‘Resilience key to India’s success’

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels “persistence and resilience” were key to Indian bowlers’ remarkable turnaround in the ongoing cricket World Cup, especially after their disappointing outing in the series Down Under that preceded the mega-event.

Chappell was full of praise for the Indian bowling attack, which picked up 70 wickets in seven consecutive World Cup matches to silence their critics after a disastrous Test and ODI Tri-Series in Australia. “Six weeks ago you wouldn’t have dreamed the Indians would claim all 70 wickets in their first seven World Cup matches. Nevertheless, that’s exactly what the bowlers have achieved, and it’s a credit to their persistence and resilience that they have been able to click into gear when it has really mattered,” Chappell wrote in a column for ESPN-Cricinfo.

The Aussie legend also heaped praise on India’s fielding effort in the World Cup. “The final component in India’s World Cup resurgence has been the fielding. It was athletic and safe, with the occasional brilliant intercept at the MCG.It helps if all the chances created are accepted, and this also helps to build the confidence of the bowlers,” he said about India’s fielders display in the quarterfinal clash against Bangladesh.

Rohit reminds Ian Chappell of Aravinda de Silva

Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell on Sunday said Indian Rohit Sharma's match-winning innings of 137 against Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2015 quarterfinal reminded him of Sri Lankan batting great Aravinda de Silva. “Throughout his excellent innings, I was reminded of the discipline displayed by Aravinda de Silva in the 1996 World Cup final. Aravinda scored a century of class and determination to help his team win the trophy, and although he denied himself any expansive shots, he still scored at a run rate near 90. It was one of the great innings of self-restraint played by a batsman who could be extravagant, bordering on reckless at times,” Chappell said of the Indian right-hander.

The 71-year-old praised opening batsman Rohit for playing a disciplined innings and not hitting a careless uppish shot during his stay at the crease that so often brings one of his promising innings to a premature halt. “Rohit was every bit disciplined, and mostly denied himself the signature lofted shots into the stands or the careless uppish shot through the infield that so often bring one of his promising innings to a premature halt,” Ian said. Ian, who had played 75 Tests and 16 one-day-internationals (ODI) for Australia, also came up in appreciation for Suresh Raina for playing a supportive role at the MCG. “As much as Rohit was the star and Suresh Raina was good who played a strong supporting role,” he said.
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