Team has scope for improvement: Azhar

CHENNAI, JULY 8: Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin today said the team had done exceptionally well in winning the three-nation Inde...

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CHENNAI, JULY 8: Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin today said the team had done exceptionally well in winning the three-nation Independence Cup after a pulsating final against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday.

In a brief chat with newsmen even as he was waiting to collect his baggage at the international airport here soon after his arrival from Colombo, a normally reticent Azharuddin said, “We were sure that we would win once the wickets started falling even though, at one stage with Aravinda de Silva going strong, we thought that the match had slipped out of our hands.”

Commending the performance of his players in the final, Azhar said the boys kept their cool under pressure.

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Answering a question about the gains on the tour, Azharuddin said, “I would not not like to single out any player in particular.”

Azharuddin agreed that the team could be described as the “nucleus” for the World Cup in England next year. But that is a long way off, he added.

He said there was a lot of depth in thebatting. “But we should improve our bowling, fielding and physical fitness,” he added. Azharuddin said Robin Singh and Hrishikesh Kanitkar had proved that the batting had depth even after no four or five.

Azharuddin said the bowling would be really strengthened if pace bowler Javgal Srinath is back in the side for competitions in the run up to the World Cup. It would have been good if he was available for this series, he added.

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Azharuddin answered in the affirmative when asked if the new physio Andrew Kokinos’ workout with the team had been beneficial so far. Asked if he was satisfied with the progress being made by baby in the team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, Azharuddin said he has been bowling quite well.

The Indian captain, who has notched up four wins in five One-day tournaments after being recalled to lead the team last year, however, refused to be drawn into any controversy regarding the umpiring in the final yesterday.But he has to improve his fielding and fitness, he added.

“I cannot sayanything about a few decisions yesterday as I was not fielding in the slips or any close in position,” Azhar added.

Mediamen thrown out

A small contingent of Indian media covering the Singer Akai Independence trophy was in for a shock last night as it was asked to leave the victory celebrations being hosted by the five star hotel Taj Samudra here.

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Though Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad had invited the mediamen for the party after the victory over Sri Lanka in the final, some reporters and a photographer were politely told to leave the party. Though the hotel management extended an invitation to mediamen to join the party, they stayed away from it.

It was learnt that some of the players were against the mediamen being present during “their” celebration. Sourav Ganguly also celebrated his birthday in the same party.

The experience came as a rude shock to reporters, as the Sri Lankan Cricket Board had also not taken the care to make adequate arrangements in the press box, which seemed more likean extension of a gallery. India finedThe Indian team was fined by match referee Cammie Smith for bowling two overs short within the stipulated time in yesterday’s final against Sri Lanka in the Singer Akai Nidhas cricket trophy here.

As a result, India will lose 10 per cent of its match fee.