Azharuddin feels that the Indian side have lost their drive and passion for the game

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin believes that the national team have lost all sense of direction and called on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to inject some energy into his side and wake them up.

Azharuddin also noted that India’s record would only continue to get worse if they fail to solve their ongoing bowling and batting issues.

“The team has no direction,” Azharuddin said. “Nobody knows what is happening. Something needs to be done.”

India’s bowling attack has seen change after change since bowlers come in for a while before leaving with a serious injury and Azharuddin pointed out that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have to ensure that they are fully fit at all times, while also planning ways in which to decrease the number of runs they give away during the death overs of a limited overs match.

“Bowling has really been an area of concern,” Azharuddin said. “The wickets at home are not helping them much, so it’s crucial for them to really work hard. The strike bowlers have made the matters worse by picking up regular injuries. Asking for turners won’t solve the purpose. Despite having turning tracks against England, we went on to lose the Test series. Before opting for a particular wicket, the captain and coach must know whether they have suitable players.”

Azharuddin also had some advice for Dhoni, saying: “Dhoni should pick the right team, he should not go by the players’ reputations. To win a match, it’s crucial to back the best eleven. With Virat Kohli too struggling at the top, he must think of an alternative.”

However, the former captain also stated that domestic pitches have to be prepared in a way that they offer something to the bowlers and batsmen as well, otherwise, every youngster that rises through the ranks will want to be a batsman and India will start to face a shortage of bowlers in the near future.

“Though the BCCI has come up with some unique ideas, things haven’t really changed much,” he said. “The wickets still heavily favour the batsmen. It’s time we give bowlers some options. If we can’t provide a sporting wicket at the domestic level, how can we even judge our bowlers? This first-innings lead system in the Ranji Trophy is spoiling the whole challenge since everyone is playing safe these days.”

Azharuddin recently had his life ban, which he received for match-fixing in 2000, lifted and the ex-skipper noted that he was ready to give something back to the sport he had dedicated his life to.

“I’m happy to have come [out] clean,” he said. “Now, I will be happy to do something for Indian cricket.”