Former Australia captain Ian Chappell, blamed Mahendra Singh Dhoni for “India’s slide to oblivion” and has questioned his “conservative” approach on the final day of the first Test against Australia in Melbourne.
“MS Dhoni set the tone for India’s slide to oblivion on the final day at the MCG. He was extremely conservative when the situation cried out for him to attack in order to claim the final two wickets cheaply,” Chappell wrote in his column for the Herald Sun .
The senior Chappell was critical of the visitors’ inability to polish off the Australian tail and said Dhoni needs to find a solution to the problem before the start of the second Test in Sydney from January 3.
“He (Dhoni) lamented India’s inability to rid themselves of the Australian tailend batsmen in both innings. He only needs to pay attention when shaving before the SCG Test to find the solution to that problem,” Chappell insisted.
He, however, maintained that Australians would need to find a solution to stop Sachin Tendulkar, who looked in ominous touch during his stay at the crease.
“The player the Australians haven’t yet found an answer for is Sachin Tendulkar. He looked in top form, and with the SCG being his favourite venue in Australia, they’ll need to find a solution quickly,” Chappell wrote.
Chappell seemed sceptical of Gautam Gambhir’s form, as the Delhi lad looked in discomfort against the rising ball. “Gautam Gambhir is in trouble, as he’s discomforted by the extra bounce. If he continues to poke suspiciously at deliveries outside off-stump like a nervous mouse nibbling at the cheese, the Australians will have no trouble springing the trap,” he pointed.
