The Hindu : Sport : India reeled under pressure, says Greg Chappell

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India reeled under pressure, says Greg Chappell

Special Correspondent

— PHOTO: PTI

NOT TAKING CHANCES: Policemen keeping a vigil outside the Bangalore residence of Indian captain Rahul Dravid.

Port of Spain: India cricket coach Greg Chappell admitted after India's defeat to Sri Lanka that the side hadn't been able to handle pressure.

"I think Indian teams definitely play under more pressure than any of the other teams because of the weight of expectations back home," said Chappell.

"It does have an effect, and I would say from the experience of the last few weeks, it definitely had its effect. Coming into the Bangladesh game, I thought the boys were a bit anxious at that stage, and the pressure built from there. That pressure had a bearing on what happened out there on Friday," he added.

What did Chappell attribute the defeat to? "Look, there is nothing more to be said than we didn't play well enough. The fact of the matter was we got the team India wanted and we didn't perform when the time came. I'm not sure right at this moment is the time to try and dissect it. We need to go away and look at it from a bit of distance that might give perspective. It's no point making comments at an emotional time like that."

Indeed, "we didn't play well enough" became a refrain as Chappell dealt with questions that grew increasingly shrill.

Why couldn't India's famed batting line-up deliver under pressure? "I'm sure there are a number of factors attached to it. But, I'm not going to put any labels on it because it's a very emotional time and any comment made can be easily misconstrued."

What was his answer to "one billion fans" as one journalist put it? "We didn't play well enough. I don't know what else you want me to say. You want me to criticise somebody, I'm not prepared to do that."

What did he think of Sachin Tendulkar's failure? "Nobody goes out there and tries to fail. I don't know if we can pick on one person and say it was his lack of form that was the reason."

Was he happy with the selection of the squad? "That's not for me to say. As coach, I'm given a team, and I'm happy to work with that team. Having said that, I was happy to work with this team."

Why couldn't the side do well overseas? "I don't think India has won a tournament overseas since 1985. There is a bit of history to it. There are obviously some reasons. I'm not prepared to go into them at this stage."

Chappell said that the side had to take collective responsibility.

"Obviously, I have to take some responsibility, and I'm quite happy to do that. But, I don't think the coaching staff alone should be blamed for what happened here. To try an apportion blame is not going to change what happened out there."

In the light of recent events, Chappell said he was a little concerned about the security in India, but was confident the systems were in place.

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