AHMEDABAD: They may have won their first league match against England, but the coach isn?t a happy man. Going by the dressing-down that the Indian team received on Wednesday, a day before the crucial game against the West Indies, Greg Chappell expects some serious attitudinal change in his ?
boys?.
The Australian used the early morning pre-practice briefing to put across his message.
He minced no words in making it clear that he expects more energy in the field.
The team began training on Wednesday morning with a jog around the practice ground adjoining the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera. Then an agitated coach took over in the presence of senior team members, including skipper Rahul Dravid.
The coach lectured the team for five minutes. No one except Chappell spoke before the squad broke into fielding and batting drills.
The coach was heard emphasising that with millions of people watching, it is up to the individuals to lift their game.
He also decried the habit of players sauntering around with cell phones and earphones plugged on.
?Show some more energy on the field,?
the coach said, adding that all the hard work during practice would come to naught unless the players realised they were there to improve their game.
He spoke of the way in which some players had to be cajoled into practice. The general body language of the team also came under fire as the coach discouraged the hands-in-pocket stance.
He, in fact, even displayed the body language that was unbecoming of players in India colours.
Chappell was unavailable for comment. His assistant Ian Frazer said he did not attend the meeting.
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