adminNEW DELHI. — India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni faced criticism from the nation’s Press yesterday for his “bizarre” tactics during the side’s humiliating loss to England, while his batsmen were slammed for their “spineless surrender”.Lacklustre India lost the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday by an innings and 54 runs, handing England an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Under the back-page headline “Spineless Surrender”, the Times of India lashed out at the country’s batsmen for refusing to fight back in their second innings.
The newspaper said the batsmen had made millions of dollars playing “slam-bang” limited-overs cricket, but failed to hone their skills for Test matches, the sport’s most demanding format. “Faced with the onerous task of saving the match, India’s “Young Millionaires” did not even attempt to save face,” its correspondent wrote.
“Instead, they flaunted a flamboyant approach, so typical of limited-overs cricket, to bring about a quick end to the fourth Test. So pathetic was India’s display that their second innings lasted just 43 overs.” The Press praised England’s “focus and determination”, singling out Stuart Broad for his “heroic bowling”.
Broad, who retired hurt after breaking his nose while batting early on Saturday, was named man of the match. — AFP.
Online Reporter