Kolkata: Former cricketer Mohinder Amarnath says it was a matter of worry for India ahead of the World Cup that the players have not been able to adapt to the conditions Down Under.
"The problem which the Indians are facing both in batting and bowling is that they have not yet come to terms with the nature of the wicket, although they have been in Australia for over two months now," Amarnath told reporters.
Amarnath, who had bagged the Man-of-the-Match award in both the semi-final and final of India's historic 1983 World Cup win, indicated that the technique of the Indian batmen was found wanting.
"The batsmen are still to judge the bounce of the wicket and trying to play shots, the way they play in the sub-continent where the bounce is low. In Australia, the bounce is higher and the ball comes higher on to the bat, so the batsman will have to make adjustments," he said.
Amarnath also said that India missed out by not selecting leg-spinner Amit Mishra.
"India's strength has always been spin and it certainly will be crucial how they perform. But I think the selectors missed out by not opting for a leg spinner. They should have picked Amit Mishra as leg spin can play a great part on Australian wickets. During the 1985 tour to Australia Laxman Shiva Rama Krishnan played a crucial role," he said.
