Gavaskar wants to see a change in India’s lazy attitude
Former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar has revealed that he is extremely concerned about the national team’s attitude during matches, stating that it looked like they did not care after being humiliated at home by England during their four-Test series and Pakistan in their recently concluded limited overs series.
Gavaskar noted that the team had a lot of talent, but added that they would keep losing and slip down the rankings if they continue having such a disgraceful attitude towards their matches.
“I am not talking about stance and technique,” Gavaskar said. “I think (speaking about coach Duncan Fletcher) if you are not going to be able to have the players report three-four-five days before, then I am sure you are not able to have control over the players. I have been a former cricketer and when I see the kind of approach the players have had over the last one year, I get a little bit disappointed.
“Look, talent-wise this team has got everything but for that talent to flower, the approach has to be right, the attitude has to be right.”
Gavaskar pointed out that this poor attitude had started during India’s tour of the Caribbean, where they turned up 30 minutes prior to the start of the match.
“Even last year, against the West Indies, India were in a winning position on the last day,” Gavaskar added. “(But) The players turned up at the ground barely 30 minutes before the first ball was bowled. They might have been in the dressing room but that is the attitude that they do not want to come out and do the drills that will enhance their skill-sets.”
The former batsman stated that India were going to continue being defensive about their batting since “they have got nothing to talk about their performances”.
“Well, they have got nothing to talk about their performances (and) so, naturally they are going to be defensive,” Gavaskar said. “When India won in Ahmedabad, everybody thought it would be a one-sided tournament. But the England batsmen worked very very hard. There were lessons to be learnt but I do not think too many Indians did that.”