India are now the chokers, says Sunil
February 10, 2004 Edition -1
New Delhi - India deserve the "tag of chokers" more than South Africa after suffering a pair of humiliating defeats against Australia in the one-day series.
This was said by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said yesterday.
World champions Australia wrapped up the best-of-three finals against India with a crushing 208-run victory at Sydney on Sunday following the second successive dismal batting performance by the tourists.
Sourav Ganguly's Indians were shot out for a meagre 151 in reply to Australia's mammoth 359/5 in the must-win match.
India were also mauled in the first final at Melbourne on Friday, scoring just 222 before losing the match by seven wickets.
Gavaskar lashed out at the fragile Indian batting in the big matches, saying it was "ordinary and unedifying".
"The tag of 'chokers in crunch matches' now belongs to them (India) and not South Africa, who had monopolised it for a long time now," Gavaskar wrote in the Hindustan Times.
South Africa earned the dubious tag after losing a few big games from a winning position under pressure, including the 1999 World Cup semifinal in England against Steve Waugh's Australians. "India's top order had been softened in Perth and had not recovered at all," Gavaskar said, referring to the team's defeat against Australia in a league match on a fast and bouncy track.
"India's meek surrender (in the finals) would have disappointed their supporters and followers. Losing to the world champions is not a bad thing, but the way the Indian team capitulated is what is so depressing."
India had silenced their critics by drawing a four-Test series 1-1 before floundering in the one-day tournament.
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell said mental toughness was the key to the hosts' success in the one-day finals.
Australia will tour India in September-October for four Test matches. - Sapa-AFP
