Date:17/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/17/stories/2007101756622300.htm

Sport

Lack of consistency let us down: Rajput

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: The Indians had a lively session under lights at the Wankhede Stadium. Chairman of the selection panel Dilip Vengsarkar was seen having a long conversation with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, vice-captain Yuvraj Singh and senior cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. And Rahul Dravid had a stint at the nets even as there were speculations about the composition of the Indian eleven.

The cricket manager of the Indian team, Lalchand Rajput, said the eleven would be decided only on Wednesday morning after the team meeting.

He said a lack of consistency had let India down in the series. “We have not been able to maintain our intensity through the fifty overs. One day we have been good with the ball and on another day we have been good with the bat.”

Rajput said India could take a leaf out of the Australian book of consistency, “They are there in the game all the time. If you make a mistake, they cash in. They are very sharp.” He added, “They (the Aussies) are the world champions. We have been competitive in the series. We are the only side who can stretch them.”

The cricket manager acknowledged that the Indian bowlers have been disappointing in the end overs. “This is an area we have been working on.” Rajput conceded that the Aussies had played the Indian spinners well. He also said Brad Hogg had made an impact in the series.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said his side would be hard and competitive here despite having won the series. “Matthew Hayden is 85 per cent fit and we would make a call on him tomorrow morning. If he plays, he will replace Brad Haddin,” said Ponting. He ruled out any other changes in the playing eleven.

Ponting said the ODI in Nagpur was among the best games he had played in. He observed the series had been a well fought one despite the margin. The Aussie skipper said the relations between the sides were good despite some on-field incidents.

The Indians, Ponting said, would be welcomed in Australia. He added that the incident involving Andrew Symonds had been blown out of proportion.