Former captain Kapil Dev has lashed out at the Indian players for lacking team spirit in the ongoing Test series against England
and also criticised senior cricketers, including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar, for not motivating the youngsters in the team.
The former all-rounder, who led India to its maiden World Cup title in 1983, slammed Dhoni’s men for “going through the motion more than their love for the game” during the ongoing four-match series which England have already pocketed 3-0.
“Indian players did not play as a team. I am not trying to blame anybody but I think they played too much cricket. Within four days of winning the World Cup you play IPL. Then they travel to West Indies for a tour and then from there to England. I think our players were going through the motion more than their love for the game”, Kapil said in an interview.
Asked whether there were any other reason for the humiliating defeat against England which has dislodged India from the number one position, Kapil said the seniors have not played a role in guiding the youngsters during the tour.
“No cricketer walked up to young bowlers to advise them on what line to bowl. Dhoni could go up to Ishant and tell this. Media termed him as ‘Captain Cool’. He says everybody should know their job.
“In Indian sports, we have not reached that level where all the players know what they should do. We still look up to captain and senior players. We need somebody with aggression. All the senior players have become so senior that they do not want to be aggressive”, he said.
