IPL an excuse, players weren't good enough: Ex-captains

Published>Wed, May 12 10 07:37 PM

New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) Former India captains said that players have to be blamed for the team's early exit from the ongoing World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Sourav Ganguly feels that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has lulled the Indian players into a false sense of security, and has asked the seniors to pull up their socks.

'The IPL is a domestic tournament and the standard is much lower than a world event where you are up against quality batsmen and bowlers. Some of the players have got a lot of opportunities, but have not delivered. They have been around for quite a while and the entire country wants performances from them,' said Ganguly.

Ganguly also came down heavily on Yuvraj Singh and said: 'Yuvraj has to look at his game. If he doesn't perform for long periods, the selectors will not play him just on the basis of his reputation.'

Sunil Gavaskar, however, questioned the team's selection and said that India's lack of adaptability has been a disappointment.

'What is baffling is that even though most batsmen showed a distinct sense of discomfort against the short ball during the World Twenty20 in England last year, they were picked again for an event on even bouncier pitches in the Caribbean,' he said.

Questioning Mahendra Singh Dhoni's tactical skills, Ravi Shastri said: 'Of all the tournaments Dhoni has led India in, this is the most disappointing. Only 73 runs were scored in the last 10 overs despite having nine wickets in hand.'

'There is no explanation for that. Tactically, Yusuf Pathan should have come up in the batting order. Selectors will have to look for Twenty20 players who can play in all kinds of conditions,' Shastri added.

Mohammad Azharuddin was surprised that Dhoni cited IPL night parties as one of the reasons for player fatigue.

'Excuses like these cannot be given after you lose. Obviously, if you stay up the whole night, it would affect you. Players should be responsible enough. The game is more important than the parties. For a player, cricket should come first and everything else is secondary,' he said.

Former coach Madan Lal said: 'Who was forcing them (players) to attend these IPL parties? They could have said 'no'. I don't think they should say all this. These are silly excuses. Fact is they had gone there to win the World Cup and they just weren't good enough.'

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