Chappell defends four-bowler theory

'He was pretty much tired after the one-dayers and we thought he needed a break' - Greg Chappell on Irfan Pathan © Getty Images

Greg Chappell, India's coach, has hit out at criticism that India erred by going into the first two Tests against the West Indies with four bowlers. He said the team needed to make big scores on the benign tracks that were dished out in order to put pressure on the opposition.

The Australian also rubbished the suggestion that the team management was trying to strengthen its batting at the cost of bowling. "We're not 2-0 up so there is no point moaning about it," Chappell said. "You can be disappointed and all those things but it is not going to help us. We played four bowlers because it was a horses-for-courses kind of situation.

"We didn't want to protect batting. We needed to make big scores and we made it. We thought on those wickets that was our best chance to put pressure on the opposition. The way to do it is to put big scores."

Chappell defended his young bowling attack which failed to take 20 wickets in both the Tests. "Everyone is looking at our bowlers and saying we haven't done this or we haven't done that. What we have done is to win nearly two Test matches. You've got to look at what the West Indian bowlers have done.

"Talking to [Brian] Lara the other night, he was very complimentary about our bowlers. He thought under the circumstances our bowlers did everything they could have done. It was a very good feedback for us."

Chappell gave a clean chit to Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth on their fitness and justified the lean patch of VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh. "We do want players to go on but in each game it is only two-three batters who score and they are not the same in every match. Sometime ago, you were saying the same about Sehwag and Kaif. Now it is VVS Laxman and Yuvraj. But if we keep getting the wickets like the first two Tests, before the series is out, they would strike form. They are two very good players."

The coach made no bones about dropping Irfan Pathan for the first Test. "He was pretty much tired after the one-dayers and we thought he needed a break. The break has done him no harm and he would learn from the experience. One of the problems of playing so much cricket is you don't get the downtime to reflect and build on what you have learnt. He needed rest and we felt it was in his best interest."

Looking ahead to the third Test beginning on Thursday, Chappell said he would like his team to watch out for Lara, especially if the pitch was another belter. "He is a player probably in the twilight of his career. Still, he has the capacity to pull out an innings of some quality. We would not rest easy till the series is finished. He is likely to play more good innings, particularly if it is a batting wicket. He is going to be a problem."