New Delhi: Former skipper Bishan Singh Bedi believes it will be "testing times" for the India cricket team in South Africa but said it would be "unfair" to judge the young outfit so early.
The Indian team started their bilateral series against South Africa with a 0-2 thumping in the ODI series and Bedi said this tour will test the faith and determination of the players.
"Playing in South Africa is different then playing for an IPL team. It is testing times for India in South Africa but they can make it," Bedi said on the sidelines of a TERI program, where Nobel Laureate RK Pachauri, TERI director-general, was felicitated for taking 600 wickets in corporate cricket.
"It is important to have self belief and faith on themselves. They need to have the will and determination to do it."
Bedi was not happy with the curtailed bilateral series against South Africa and said it should have been better planned as the players didn't get enough time to prepare and acclimatise to the conditions.
"When this tour was organised why there was no talk about it. It should have been a five ODI and four Test series. The players should have got the time to practice. Even in Australia and England, we didn't prepare well, now also we have no preparation," said the legendary spinner, who took 266 wickets from 67 Tests.
"The cricketers have no time to breath, to enjoy cricket, how will they play?
The 67-year-old Bedi, who captained India in 22 Tests, said it would be unfair to judge the players so early.
"But it would be unfair to judge the players in such a short time. They needed to be given a longer lease. Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, they all have talent."
Asked about Kohi, the former left-arm spinner said: "It was wrong to judge Kohli so early after just two matches. He has the capability. In all fairness, he can fill in the number four spot for India."
Bedi has recently announced his candidature against Arun Jaitley for the post of the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) president in the upcoming association elections scheduled for December 30.
Asked about his decision to fight the DDCA elections, he said: "I believe there is room for improvement in every aspect, whether it is financial dealings, quality of cricket, selection or communication. DDCA needs total overhauling.
"My decision is not a sudden one, it has been brewing for sometime. I feel I must be the change to bring the change," he added.
Former India batsman Kirti Azad, who was also present in the program, said for Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men, facing quality bowling in foreign conditions has been a problem.
"We are not able to face pacy, bouncy and moving balls in Australia and England. This is a genuine problem. The players are capable but we have to work on our reflexes. If they could have got 5-6 matches, they could have played better," he said.
Asked if India has replacement for just-retired Sachin Tendulkar, Azad said: "Nobody is indispensable. We have players to fill in but they have to sustain themselves over the years. We can't compare players as there is a difference in time and situation."
Later, Bedi said in a statement that one of the main reasons for his jumping into the electoral fray was to get rid of the proxy system in the DDCA.
"Many of my old friends have been asking me as to why we do not take steps to get rid of the proxy system which is at the root of all ills in sports bodies in general and DDCA in particular. I accept their viewpoint and wish to inform all of you that one of the reasons for our getting into the muddied waters of DDCA is to take steps to remove the proxy system," he said.
"We have already taken up this matter with the Corporate Affairs Minister, Sachin Pilot, and shall be proceeding to seek permission of the Central Govt u/s 399(4) of Companies Act, 1956, to move the Company Law Board u/s 397/398."
Bedi also alleged that some DDCA officials have been misusing funds "for personal ventures and money has been wasted and misappropriated by office bearers".
"The matches are played at Roshanara grounds despite Kotla having been awarded the first prize for the best wicket in the country. Players from outside Delhi are being brought in, on extraneous considerations," he alleged.
