Cricket: India feel the heat after Sydney annihilation

Former players criticise selection policy, want chances given to youngsters.

NEW DELHI:

Pressure mounted on India’s ageing stars after their dismal batting performances on the tour of Australia, with former players calling for an injection of youth to the side.

India suffered their sixth successive overseas Test defeat when they lost to Australia by an innings and 68 runs to go 2-0 down in the four-match series. Batting collapses have cost the tourists dearly in both Tests despite the presence of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag.

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell was vehement in his criticism of the Indian selectors and believed that the batting line-up needed younger players to bolster it.

“India is paying for a short-sighted selection policy over the last few years,” he said. “The batting line-up has been crying out for an injection of youth and six successive overseas losses will convince the selectors of the error. Part of the art of batting is to learn from mistakes and the India batsmen, Tendulkar included, are paying for repeatedly falling into the same trap.”

Former India captain Kapil Dev said no one should take their place in the team for granted.

“A line-up may look brilliant on paper, but whether it’s the best or not depends on how it fares on the given day,” he said. “If you’re not performing and the team isn’t winning, your past laurels shouldn’t help you retain a berth.”

Gavaskar blasts players for missing practice

Meanwhile, batting great Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at the players for skipping practice during the tour.

“Christmas is big in Australia and it’s understandable for Australian players taking off after the first Test,” he said. “But what were our players doing? Why weren’t they practicing? Have they gone there for sightseeing or playing cricket?”

Gavaskar was also critical of the frontline India bowlers, with each them conceding over hundred runs in Australia’s only innings in Sydney.

We did our best: Ashwin

However, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was adamant the bowlers did their best.

“The pacers were really bending their back,” he said. “We can’t question their effort. Ishant Sharma was clocking 140 kph.”

India will now be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes in the third Test that starts in Perth from January 13.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2012.