NEWS
Follow UsIndia's World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev said Virat Kohli post-match assessment of Sunday's defeat to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup is a weak statement as it will not lift the morale in the dressing room. India suffered a eight-wicket loss to the Black Caps at Dubai after which Kohli said that his team weren't brave enough either with the ball or the bat.
"Obviously, it's a very weak statement from a player as big as Virat Kohli. We all know and we believe that he has the hunger and desire to win games for the team," he told ABP News.
"But, if the body language of the team and thought process of the captain is like this, it's very difficult to lift the mood of the players inside the dressing room," he added.
Coming off a 10-wicket loss to arch-rivals Pakistan, Indian batters were able to put up only 110 in 20 overs which New Zealand chased down with 33 balls to spare. Kapil felt that it is up to mentor MS Dhoni and head coach Ravi Shastri to lift the team spirits.
"I would urge my friend Shastri and Dhoni to lift the team in this scenario, it is Dhoni's job to talk to players and give them confidence," he said.
After two big defeats, India will now have win big against Afghanistan, Scotland and Namibia and will need Afghanistan to beat New Zealand in order to qualify for the semifinals.
"If we have to go through based on somebody else's performance, then I don't like it. If you have to be in the semis, do it on your own merit. I don't think it is a good idea to place your hopes on anyone else," Kapil said on India's qualification scenario.
Kapil also felt that the seniors in the team have not stepped up which needs to taken into consideration by the selectors.
"The selectors will now have to take a hard look at them, whether the better performing youngsters should be considered. These big guys, if they don't make runs, they will face criticism," the 62-year old said.
India will take on Afghanistan in their third Super 12s match on Wednesday.