Hyderabad Ranji cricketer Dwaraka Ravi Teja has hailed his former Deccan Chargers teammate Ishant Sharma for his match-winning bowling that led India to an emphatic victory over England at Lord’s.
India took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-Test series on Monday with a 95-run win over their beleaguered hosts that extends Alastair Cook’s side’s winless run to 10 matches.
It snapped India’s poor run of away from – their first victory outside of India in 16 Tests dating back to 2011 – while the win was just their second at Lord's and their first since 1986.
The match was evenly-poised until Sharma ripped through the England order, collecting career-best figures of 7-74 to hand India a vital victory.
Ravi and Sharma played together in 2012 for the now defunct Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers, and the 26-year-old (pictured below in action for Deccan) remembers up-close just how devastating Sharma can be.
“He is a fantastic player. When he gets his rhythm going, there is no way to stop him from picking up wickets,” Ravi tells Sport360. “He used to run in hard for every ball and make sure he gave everything for the team. He was instrumental in many wins in IPL and today, well, he was outstanding.”
Another player key to India’s victory, Ajikya Rahane, is a former colleague of Teja having played together at India Under-19 level.
Rahane scored an impressive century that anchored India’s first innings and provided the foundations for vicory.
“That innings under so much pressure must have been very tough, but boy, didn’t he play well,” Ravi said. “Even back then (at U-19 level) he used to train hard, work on his technique. He deserved that century.”
While it is a time to celebrate for Indian cricket fans, Ravi has warned of an England backlash and with three Tests still to play, is aware that the hosts can mount a fightback.
“England are a strong side and let’s not forget, they are playing at home,” said Ravi, who has amassed over 3,000 first class runs in his career. “Yes, India are in a good position but they will have to work very hard to take the series win.”
