Team gave its best, says Kapil

Team gave its best, says Kapil
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

CHENNAI, FEBRUARY 1: A joke doing the rounds is that a boy who was asked by the judge as to which of his parent he would like to be with after their divorce said he preferred to be with the Indian team. The logic being the Indian team beats nobody!

Like the boy, the Indian cricket team may have taken the safer option of landing in a city known for its graciousness.

``No bouquets, but we can do without the brickbats please,'' seemed to be the unwritten message on the faces of the beleagured Indian cricketers.

The bunch arrived from Perth via Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday afternoon. Ajit Agarkar was the first to come out secure in the knowledge that he had left those ducks Down Under.

Coach Kapil Dev quickly parried the few questions at the airport and directed the mediamen to assemble at the quickly-arranged media conference at Radisson Hotel.

What went wrong? Had an air of perfectibility in the first salvo fired at Kapil. What went right? Kapil's vacant look seemed to wonder for a full second. Recoveringhis poise, Kapil said the team was inexperienced and had to be given some more time.

``Admittedly, it was tough for most of them to meet the demands, but on the positive side, the effort was cent per cent,'' he declared.

About too much of cricket the Indians were subjected to, Kapil felt that was something which the Board has to deal with. Personally, he said, there was no point in rushing series after series. With so little time between the New Zealand (home) and Australian tour, the team management had little choice but accept the given team.

About the forthcoming tour by South Africa and which of the heads are likely to roll, Kapil said it is only fair that he first submit the report to the Board before airing his views.

``I had chalked out a few things with the physio Andrews Leipus and it will be known in a few days time,'' he said.

Kapil refused to be drawn to his comments over the popularity or the lack of it of Mohammed Azharuddin among players. ``First, I have to see what has appeared.Second, I am here to discuss only about Indian cricket.''

The focus shifted to Sachin Tendulkar. As unfazed as taking on Glenn McGrath in full flight, Tendular clarified once again that the captaincy still sits well on his shoulders.

``One needs pressure to perform,'' he reminded all and sundry that his first double Test ton came after his first stint as captain.

The questions ranged from the controversial decisions, ball tampering and his views on sporting pitches. ``At the highest level, it is 90 per cent of fast bowling which one has to encounter. The revamping has to start at the domestic level. The spinners are on from the fifth over and as such one cannot read too much into the centuries which the batsmen help themselves,'' he said.

Tendulkar dismissed the ball tampering episode to be laughed at while pleading helplessness at some of the `Hairy' decisions. ``It's all part of the game and you got to accept that. It hurts, but you can't do a thing about that.''

Kapil and Tendulkar could takesolace that the Pandora's box is closed for the time being. But then, one can never be too sure of Indian cricket -- on and off the field.