India have bounced back well in the second Test after having faced a humiliating defeat in the first Test. However, in the absence of the regular captain Virat Kohli, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane stood up with the bat. 

Meanwhile, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was impressed by the effort of the team. The pace bowler, moreover, praised Ajinkya Rahane's team in a conversation with Sports Today where he shared his thoughts about Rahane's captaincy and Team India's character as well.

"I watched the game, one fine morning, I woke up and I saw India were getting hammered by Australia. I thought it was 369 and not 36 for 9. But it was 36 for 9. But you know, characters are exhibited in crisis," he said.

"The exhibition of character from the Indian team is tremendous. I think this guy is so quiet and so calm. Ajinkya Rahane doesn’t shout or do nasty things on the field, he just stays quiet and does his thing which is cool captaincy. Under his leadership, the guys suddenly performed," he again shared.

"Whatever you say about Ravi Shastri, Ajinkya Rahane and the team, India’s strength is not people who are playing on the field, it’s the bench strength. They seized the opportunity and went out there and performed,” Akhtar further added. "Getting hammered in one Test and then coming back and winning the next Test comprehensively shows the character of the team and the management. And at the same time, people are out there to win the Test match."

However, the former speedster also added that this kind of performance was not expected or imagined from anyone 10-15 years ago but Team India successfully did it. He also hoped that India to win the four-match Test series against Australia.

"Who would have thought 10-15 years ago that Australia will get hammered by India or Pakistan or some other subcontinent team? Now it’s happening. Now, I want to see this series full of clashes. I want India to win the series because they have made a great comeback. And they have shown a lot of character and great courage. Ajinkya Rahane’s hundred is just the turnaround," Akhtar concluded.