Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who guided the team to World Cup success, has praised the Indian cricket team, calling them “phenomenal” in terms of mindset, especially in their incredible record at home.
Morgan Praises India’s Hunger To Win Matches
Since 2013, India has turned almost invincible in home Test series by pocketing an unprecedented streak of 18 successive Test victories. Even more than their recent tests match record, the white-ball record of the team at their home venue is more exceptional.
“They (India) have to be considered one of the greatest in their own conditions. What makes them so good is their hunger and the desire to want to win. Their attitude towards that they never take for granted. We come from countries that have huge advantages for the home side. But yet, our records over the course of generations are nowhere near as good as Indians,” he added.
“It’s those big moments in a Test match where India seem to be better at dealing with them and accelerating the game further than any other team. That’s what a great team is,” Morgan said at the launch of the Indian Masters League.
Team India’s Incredible Victory Against Bangladesh
India recently registered Test victory over Bangladesh in Kanpur where, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, they emerged fearless and aggressive, making the match thrilling for cricketing fraternity to the core. They also smashed record after records for the fastest 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 runs by a team in Test matches. They won comfortably by 7 wickets despite the match being rain-affected for two and half days.
“We come from countries that have huge advantages for the home side. But yet our records over the course of generations are nowhere near as good as Indians. England came here (earlier this year) for the Test Series, played on some pretty flat wickets; some wickets that turned, but nothing out of the ordinary. And, India was dominant.“
“I am a huge believer in accessing and maximising the power of the mindset. I think if sides can do that even a small amount or marginally better, you can see what India achieve. I think it’s far more exciting to watch it. It takes the game forward,” Morgan said, lauding India’s approach during the Kanpur Test.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: The Next Challenge For India
According to Morgan the current Indian side, is “one of the greatest in their own conditions.” India has also been remarkable overseas, the fact that they have won the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophies on these shores speaks to their superb ability. This year, India will tour Australia for a five-Test match series.
Ever since their 2-0 victory in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia has struggled against India, and the visiting team has lost the last consecutive four series to the various Indian captains-Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rohit Sharma.
“If they go to Australia and play in that manner, a big part of that series will lie in the balance on the fitness of Nathan Lyon and how they play him. If they take that mindset into playing Nathan Lyon like that, it asks a lot of questions of Australia,” said Morgan, as quoted by PTI
The Tests will be pretty significant since India and Australia last played each other in a five-match Test series when the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour was held in 2024-25. India have always got Morgan’s support for their aggressive Test approach, so Kanpur having been a memorable win, it must raise pretty pretty tough questions about how it will pose a tough challenge for Australia.
