The Hindu : Sport : Stand up to the challenge, says Warne

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Stand up to the challenge, says Warne

Melbourne: Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne has challenged the beleaguered Ricky Ponting-led team to stand up and show that they were made of champions’ stuff by tactically fighting out the blues against India.

“When the chips are down and you are challenged as a group and as individuals, the great players and the champions stand up. This is how you separate and define the good teams and individuals from the great,” Warne said.

“Mohali’s gone, deal with it. Say well played and carry yourself well, hold your head high. But deep down use it as motivation and keep that hunger that’s inside alive,” he was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

Warne, however, agreed it was difficult to beat India in India “even with the best of teams” besides the atmosphere was suffocating with fans and media crowding from every quarter.

“This is where experience and calm heads rise to the top, and Ponting and (Michael) Clarke as leaders will become crucial, sitting around over a glass and chewing the fat with the team and coming up with some new plans. Talking tactics as a group is important,” he said.

“Be the man to drag the team along and in the right direction, be prepared for whatever the opposition throws at you, fight and never give up, don’t be afraid and start thinking negatives and what ifs,” he added.

Warne, who proved his captaincy skills in the inaugural IPL season by leading a bunch of dark horses to the title victory, said there was no need to write off any youngsters. — PTI

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