India is doing what we used to do under Imran Khan – Ramiz Raja

Former Pakistan batsman Ramiz Raja has compared the current Indian team with the great Pakistan team, which was led by Imran Khan.

Raja stated that the Indian team is playing aggressively under the leadership of Virat Kohli and they are coming up with collective efforts.

India is mostly ticking the right boxes and they have been able to deliver the goods in all the conditions. Furthermore, India’s bench strength has been potent in the recent past. The young players have grabbed under their opportunities and they have come up in the ranks with aplomb.

“India has built a fantastic team. There is controlled madness in Virat Kohli’s captaincy. The game plan is based on aggression. When you do that, you become extremely free and the negativity goes out of your system. India is doing what we used to do under Imran Khan,” said Raja.

Raja added that the Indian team is now ticking those boxes which they weren’t able to do in the past.

“I feel happy that the two-three boxes India did not use to tick, for a long time now, for the last 10 years or so, they are ticking that. Because of that they have become a famous team around the world and win matches everywhere,” added Ramiz Raja.

Raja feels a team doesn’t become special if it doesn’t win in overseas conditions. India defeated Australia in Australia by 2-1 in the 2018-19 series. Furthermore, the Indian team was able to replicate the same success in 2020-21 despite injury woes and the absence of their full-time skipper Virat Kohli.

“You don’t become special until you go abroad and win Test matches. We have seen India giving splendid performances, almost with a B-team in Australia. So because of that, the expectations are high. The sub-continent will favour and back them,” said Raja.

Raja added that New Zealand will be slight favorites for the WTC final but India have a more talented team than the Kiwis.

“New Zealand have gone there early, so they have an advantage but I feel it is a huge thing at stake and India will put utmost effort. They are overall a more talented team than New Zealand,” signed off Ramiz Raja.

The WTC final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.