After Inzamam-ul-Haq, it is now the former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal who is highly impressed by India’s bench strength. The topic came into prominence because of the Men in Blue’s simultaneous tours of England and Sri Lanka in the month of July. While one team will battle it out donning the whites in six Tests, the other will take on the Lankans for a limited-overs series.

Appreciation is pouring in from all quarters as to how India have managed to pull this incredible feat, making other teams envious of the talent they have at their disposal. India’s strong bench strength was there for all to see when they knocked Australia Down Under sans Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin during the last test in Brisbane.

Akmal lavished praise by saying India can play three teams simultaneously and yet come out victorious against the top-ranked side. He also was effusive in praise for Rahul Dravid on working at the grass-root level and ability to produce quality players season after season.

“Full credit to India’s mindset. Two teams will be playing at a time soon, one in England and one in Sri Lanka. Their cricket culture is so strong that they can field three international teams at the same time. This is because they have made no compromises at the grassroot level,” Akmal said on his YouTube channel.

He also had a word of appreciation for Ravi Shastri, head coach of India and his crucial role in making India a fearless and ruthless side.

Akmal impressed on India producing two teams at the same time

“As captain, first MS Dhoni and now Virat Kohli have carried the team brilliantly. In between, when Kohli was resting, Rohit Sharma took over. Look at the captaincy options they have. If Rohit is injured, then they have KL Rahul. They are not affected even if big players are unavailable,” Akmal added.

The BCCI has not yet announced the squad for the Sri Lanka tour yet, but it has confirmed that Dravid will be taking charge of the young team. Akmal is confident of India winning the series without their regular players.

“Even if India sends a C team to Sri Lanka they will win. The Lankans recently lost to Bangladesh.”