India urged to remain focused against disarrayed Australia

Gavaskar warns team against complacency as 3rd Test begins today.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has warned Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side against complacency as they take on a disturbed Australia team in the third Test in Mohali today.

Australia coach Mickey Arthur controversially axed four players including vice-captain Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson for a disciplinary breach – a move that sparked debate between players and officials.

Gavaskar, however, has urged the home side to remain focused on sealing the Test series in which they already have a 2-0 lead.

“I would advise the Indian team that they shouldn’t let their guard down,” he said, according to The Times of India. “You can never take any Australian team lightly, although they might be in a state of disarray. The Indian team should be happy as this is an opportunity for them.

“Cricket is a game where fortunes can turn around very easily. I agree that Pattison could have been very effective in Mohali as he has been their best bowler but this could be an opportunity for Mitchell Starc to prove himself. Obviously, not having Watson in that middle-order would be a big loss.”

India will be looking to win the Test series and climb up the ICC Test Championship table where they are currently locked in a tight three-way contest with Australia and England for second position.

Watson denies rift
with Clarke

Meanwhile, Watson has denied any rift with skipper Michael Clarke.

There have been persistent rumblings that Watson and Clarke do not see eye to eye, but the all-rounder said it was nonsense.

“I’ve been playing cricket against and with Michael Clarke since I was 12, so we’ve got a lot of history as people,” he said.

“Obviously we are quite different people in certain ways and we’re very similar in a lot of ways as well. Like you do in every relationship, it goes up and down and things are going really well at the moment with me and Michael.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2013.