Not seen an Indian team like this in last 10 years: Ganguly

Birmingham, Aug 13 (PTI) Former India captain Sourav
Ganguly feels that the Indian cricket team has sunk to a new
low in the Test series against England and said he has not
seen the side like this in the last 10 years.
Indians have looked completely off-colour in the Test
series so far and particularly in the third Test -- dropping
catches, bowling without menace and letting England take a
lead of 486 runs.
After getting bundled out for 224 in the first innings of
the on-going third Test, India allowed England to score a
massive 710 for seven to pose a huge challenge to the visitors
to save the match, the series and their number one Test
status.
"I agree (with the criticism), and let us accept we were
very ordinary. The worst day was Thursday (second day of the
match where India could take only three wickets for 372 runs
from 90 overs). I have not seen an Indian team like this in
the last 10 years," one of India's most successful captains
told BBC's Test Match Special programme in an interview.
Already trailing 0-2 in the four-match Test series with
the third Test also almost over for them, the Indian team has
been criticised of suffering from fatigue, a lack of interest
in Test cricket from players who can, and do, earn much more
money through playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
But Ganguly believes that it was the lack of preparation
which has resulted in India's dismal performance in the
series.
"You cannot just turn up and win Test series against good
sides," said the cricketer-turned-commentator.
"I've felt that when we guys from the subcontinent went
to England, Australia or South Africa we needed two warm-up
games (India had just the one practice match before this
series). And look at England in Australia a few months ago:
they had three proper warm-up games and had other guys out
there as well on standby," he added.

Insisting that the end of The England series would not be
the end of the careers for the likes of Sachin Tendulkar,
Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, the former Test cricketer said,
"We have a tour of Australia this winter and really need to
take the likes of Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman there.
"This is the first series we have done poorly, home or
away, for the last seven or eight years. It is just one of
those series that haven't gone well for India."
He, however, admitted that it was disappointing that
players of the calibre of Tendulkar, so far, has looked so
ordinary.
"But, yes, it is disappointing because I can tell you
that, as Indians, we really look forward to this tour. People
like Dravid and Tendulkar take a lot of pride in performing
over here.
"Test cricket matters to us. Indian people still want
their team to be No 1 in Test cricket. The World Cup is
special for any country. But Test cricket is the format of the
game," he insisted.
Ganguly said while the new coach Duncan Fletcher might be
finding it difficult to deal with huge personalities in the
dressing room but maintained that once everything starts to
fall in place, the coach could be in for a treat.
"These are very mature boys. And I guarantee you, Duncan
Fletcher will have a good time looking after them. He's had a
tough time so far this series. But I bet once they start
winning he will have a great time because they are well
behaved, professional people," Ganguly said.