India are already capable of producing the best five teams in world cricket: Greg Chappell

India had scripted history at The Gabba in Brisbane by breaking Australia’s 32-year-old record of being unbeaten there and had also managed to retain the prestigious Border Gavaskar Trophy by 2-1 despite the absence of their captain Virat Kohli and losing their main players to injury. This has resulted in Australia being at the receiving end of some harsh criticism by the analysts and fans.

Former Indian coach Greg Chappell slammed Cricket Australia for not investing and grooming the young talent. Chappell feels that Australia’s youngsters aren’t competent to take the field as compared to India’s compatriots. He also urged CA to spend money to make the domestic players ready for the big stage like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“Our young cricketers are weekend warriors compared to their Indian compatriots, who get challenging matchplay from the Under-16 age group onwards,” Chappell wrote in a column for Sydney Morning Herald.

“The BCCI is investing millions of dollars in budding Indian cricketers. Cricket Australia, by comparison, spends $44m dollars on the Sheffield Shield. The comparative spending gap isn’t a gulf; it is the size of the Indian Ocean.

“If Cricket Australia doesn’t realize what it takes to be competitive in Test cricket and our entire cricket administration does not change its attitude on where to invest in talent, we will be also-rans in no time,” the former Australian cricketer added.

I don’t blame Tim Paine and our bowlers for this defeat: Greg Chappell

Greg Chappell further reckoned that he wasn’t surprised seeing Indian players performing well and making the most out of the opportunities provided to them. The 72-year-old believes that the cricket fraternity should get used to seeing Indian youngsters performing well as India has the ability to produce the best five teams in world cricket.

“For those of you who were surprised that India could deal with all that was thrown at them in this series, and could hold their nerve and win in such courageous fashion, I say: you better get used to it. Don’t worry about India becoming the best team – they are already capable of producing the best five teams in world cricket!”

The former cricketer also supported Australia’s captain Tim Paine saying that he doesn’t blame Paine and the bowlers for the loss as this time the batsmen failed to live up to the expectations and let the whole team down. Chappell backed Paine saying that Tim is one of only five players who can claim an automatic place in this Australian team as he averaged 40 with the bat.

“I don’t blame Tim Paine and our bowlers for this defeat. The culpability lies fairly and squarely with the batsmen, who simply didn’t make enough runs on friendly wickets. For those calling out for heads to roll, especially those seeking Tim Paine’s head on a pike, I say REALLY? Tim is one of only five players who can claim an automatic place in this Australian team. Sure, he didn’t have his best Test series behind the stumps, but he still averaged 40 with the bat,” Chappell concluded.