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," he said about India's fielders display in the quarterfinal clash against Bangladesh.
"It helps if all the chances created are accepted, and this also helps to build the confidence of the bowlers."
Chappell also had words of appreciation for Rohit Sharma and compared his match-winning innings of 137 against Bangladesh with Sri Lankan batting great Aravinda de Silva's innings at the 1996 World Cup final.
"Throughout his excellent innings, I was reminded of the discipline displayed by Aravinda de Silva in the 1996 World Cup final," he said.
"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 while speaking about Rohit's knock.
"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," said Chappell, who had played 75 Tests and 16 ODIs for Australia.
