The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Chappell defends players

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Chappell defends players

Greg Chappell. — PHOTO: AP

Benoni: Indian coach Greg Chappell has sought to deflect criticism of the team's disastrous show in the South Africa tour opener, saying the players had been pitted against quality opposition without adequate time to adjust to the local conditions.

``It can happen, stepping out of airplane and playing in two days' time against genuine quality bowling. But that's the only way you are going to learn,'' Chappell said in a stout defence of his players.

``I don't know too many players who are well equipped to handle real fast bowling when they first walk on to international stage. Most of them have to get used to it by experience,'' the 58-year old former Australian captain said.

Coming apart

Not only the batsmen found the going tough, even the bowling came apart at the seams in the final overs, none more than Munaf Patel and Sreesanth.

``We gave a couple of guys an opportunity of bowling in the death overs which they haven't done before. If you want to get better you have got to have those opportunities,'' Chappell said. ``Sometimes it is a painful initiation you have to go through. But then you learn the lesson,'' Chappell said.

The coach felt that wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni has now been part of international cricket long enough to take on more responsibility.

``He is going to get better if he takes risk and bears responsibility. I think MS is ready for that role. He has played a reasonable amount of international cricket now.''

Crafty innings

Chappell felt there was a lot that the younger members of the team could learn from Rahul Dravid's crafty 79 in a losing cause.

``Rahul goes through difficult periods. He did what he had to, to get through that period. You sometimes don't look very good and you could rather appear uncomfortable. And yet if you go through you gain confidence. It could make it easy next time.

``It's not something you can teach somebody. It's something you learn by experience. Rahul has learnt it as well as anyone has ever learnt it,'' said Chappell.

Chappell also found words of praise for Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan, the two bowlers returning to India's fold. ``Zaheer brought his experience to good use and Kumble is the consummate professional. He does everything that needs to be done. He plays with youthful enthusiasm which belies the number of years he has played international cricket.'' — PTI

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