Ganguly is mentally lazy, says Greg Chappell

NEW DELHI, Feb 14 AFP - Australian legend Greg Chappell today had a dig at out-of-form Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, calling him "mentally lazy".

"Sourav Ganguly has always looked prone to mental laziness and continues to squander a wonderful talent," Chappell wrote in his column for the Press Trust of India news agency.

Ganguly has been passing through a lean patch recently despite being the ninth-highest run-getter in the world with 8,263 in 219 one-dayers.

The Indian captain has scored just 66 in his last eight matches. His latest attempt to regain form failed when he contributed just eight against minnows the Netherlands in his team's opening World Cup match at Paarl on Wednesday.

"He has always looked ... as if it is below him to work on developing his talents. A great shame!" Chappell said.

The former Australian captain also slammed India's total of 204 against a mediocre Dutch side.

"Indian batting in that game was at best patchy," said Chappell. "Holland boast a modest attack but the Indian batsmen played without conviction on a good wicket.

"The Indian (batting) line-up needs to be more convincing than this if they want to get to the final. Australia's attack in the next match will test them more sternly than did Holland's.

"They (Australia) still appear to hold most of the trump cards despite the loss of Shane Warne."

Australia's master leg-spinner was forced home from the World Cup on Wednesday after he tested positive for a banned diuretic.

Chappell, however, had a word of advice for both Indian captain and coach John Wright before the match against Australia at Centurion, South Africa on Saturday.

"John Wright and Ganguly must not put too much pressure on the team to perform. It is more important for everyone to be as relaxed as possible to the point of having fun.

"Good players don't lose their talent overnight. They can lose their way mentally though, and it is this mental balance which the Indian squad needs to rediscover."

Australia have already won their opening match against Pakistan by 82 runs.