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Gaekwad flays Azhar, Jadeja, Saurav, Srinath in report

Deposed India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin does not spend much time with his team mates outside the field, vice-captain Ajay Jadeja does not give any suggestions unless asked for, Javagal Srinath has got a tendency to bowl short, Saurav Ganguly gives excuses if he cannot perform up to expectations... These are some of the observations by Anshuman Gaekwad, coach of the Indian cricket team, in his report, submitted to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, after returning from the World Cup in England.

Gaekwad also suggested employing the services of a psychiatrist to better the team's performance on the field.

Mohammad Azharuddin: Perhaps one of the fittest players in the team. He used to keep himself fit through extra workouts. He did not seem to be fully self-confident regarding his batting. Though he said he did not lose his touch he has done well as skipper. He could not bat the way he used to. He used to mingle and spend time with everybody inside the field. But he should have spent more time with his players off the field. Captaincy against Pakistan was superb, but he could not maintain the continuity against Australia.

Ajay Jadeja: As a cricketer he is brilliant. His involvement with the game is unparallel. He likes to move on his own and sometimes he over reacts. He has an old knee injury which he can get rid of with proper treatment. He batted and fielded really well in adverse conditions. But he was much less vocal as the vice-captain. He should involve himself more in guiding the team. He does not want to say anything unless he is asked for. He should change this attitude.

Sachin Tendulkar: Nothing much to comment about him. He has tremendous responsibility. As a batsman he was not in his usual self. May be, he was mentally disturbed. But he did not let it spread among his team mates. He himself offered to put Ramesh as an opener in the group matches and said he would open in the Super Six stage. This sort of attitude helps to enhance the team spirit. He has got all the quality to lead a team. He wants to lead from the front. He is being troubled by his backache and should take care of this problem. He is the fittest cricketer to lead a team according to the situation.

Saurav Ganguly: He batted very well during the entire World Cup. During Sachin's absence he laid the foundation for a big total. He had continuity in his performance. He should keep in mind about batting according to the situation. At times when he should speed up the run rate, he batted slow. Regarding fielding and bowling he does not put the same effort as he puts during batting. He will have to work hard for his fitness as even a small injury also creates problems for him. Mentally, he would have to be stronger. He finds excuses if he can not perform up to expectations. He is not willing to take the blame on his shoulder always.

Rahul Dravid: Very hard working cricketer who does not want to keep even a minor defect in his fitness. His fielding has improved a lot. He has a positive mentality and batted like a champion. He inspired other team mates with his performance due to which India could cross the 250-mark in most of the matches. He is a very good team man and ideal as the number three batsman. The good thing of his character is that he admits his fault and is ever ready to rectify his fault. As a cricketer he is tough and ready to work more.

Robin Singh: One of the fittest and the most industrious cricketers of the team. A terrific team man. He is ready to do any sacrifice for the team and always tries to achieve either in batting, bowling or fielding. On his day, he alone can force a win. Though he batted very well against adverse conditions, it did not come into limelight as India lost those matches. He also bowled well. He is an ideal allrounder and an asset to any team. He could have been utilised more as a bowler.

Sadagopan Ramesh: An attentive cricketer and ready to learn; who could make himself known in limited opportunities. In spite of laying the foundation for a big innings, could not play a big innings himself as after becoming set he was out while trying a bad shot. He would have to work more for fitness and fielding. A talented cricketer, but he would have to try more.

Nayan Mongia: A cricketer who thinks. He did very good keeping till he received an injury on the palm of his left hand. Perhaps he is the best wicketkeeper in the world at this moment. He is totally professional about his practice. He, however, disappointed in batting. He got himself in many matches out while taking a bad shot. He would have to correct this thing for the betterment of the team's performance.

Anil Kumble: He is tough, sincere and a team man. He does not bother about minor injuries and is always ready to give his best. He did not bowl badly. But could not bowl effectively when the team was in need of some wickets. As he conceded more runs, he looked more in a hurry trying to bring extra pace in his bowling. He put himself in a problem. Though it is not usual with Kumble, it happened quite a few times.

Venkatesh Prasad: He maintains a routine regarding his practice and fitness. He has a tendency to be perfect. He listens to suggestions and tries to implement it. He has a positive mentality and spends extra time to amend his mistakes. During the whole World Cup he bowled well continuously. He did not get many wickets as luck was not in his favour. He has improved a lot in his fielding and showed eagerness in batting as well.

Javagal Srinath: He does extra workouts at the gymnasium to increase the power of his muscles. He also follows a strict schedule of his own to keep himself fit so that he does not get hurt again. He bowls according to his own plan. Considering his experience, he lacked continuity in his performance. He has a tendency to bowl short. He would have to work extra if he wants to follow his target.

Debasish Mohanty: A hardworking cricketer who does lots of workout at the nets. He is sincere to implement whatever advice is given to him. Though he conceded runs he bagged wickets when it was needed. He utilised the England weather beautifully. Sometimes he loses control on himself and creates problems for himself while trying to generate extra pace in his bowling.

Ajit Agarkar: He is ambitious and always wants to do well both in batting and bowling. He works hard to keep himself fit. But it would be difficult for him to avoid injury unless he improves upon his health. He is a promising allrounder.

Nikhil Chopra: He is hardworking, interested and wants to improve. He does not go for any excuse and is always ready to help on and off the field. He is an ideal team man. Though he bowled well against Kenya, he could not be given more chances considering the opponents and smaller area of the fields. Moreover, if he was included, one of the medium pacers would have to be kept on the sidelines which was not possible in England.

Amay Khurasia: He got injury at the very beginning so he was on rest for quite some time. He was not that attentive at the nets towards the end as he was at the beginning. He gave more attention to batting. Because of an old injury in the shoulder he could not bowl at the nets. He would have to give extra attention if he is to survive in international cricket.

UNI