April 13, 2007	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 24, 1428

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NEW DELHI, April 12: Legendary Indian cricketer and former captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi has spoken out in favour of Greg Chappell, saying that the former coach was used as a fall guy for India's dismal performance at the World Cup and that he should have remained coach for a longer period.

Speaking to a private Indian television channel on Thursday, Pataudi said: "I think it's a shame that he had to leave within 22 months. I think what he was trying to bring to Indian cricket was a shift of emphasis from individual flair and brilliance. He was trying to bring in team work, which Australia is so good at, which is why he was actually invited to this country.”

"It doesn't really matter whether Sachin Tendulkar wants to open the innings, or he wants to bat at No 4. You go where your team thinks, your coach thinks or your captain thinks where you should go," said Pataudi candidly.

Indian cricket has been in turmoil ever since the team's first round exit from the World Cup - there were endless blame games and bad vibes which the BCCI has put under the blanket.

Greg Chappell's exit has left the Indian cricket fraternity with mixed feelings. The hard stats suggest that he was not successful as India's coach but the BCCI and many former cricketers believe that he made significant contributions.

Pataudi, however, said that the great Aussie player had been made a scapegoat in the whole affair while it were the players who should have been held responsible for the debacle. "He (Chappell) managed to take the flak away from a very abysmal performance in the World Cup by resigning and the focus somewhat shifted from players," said Pataudi. “I think I would take some serious action against the players. The bottom-line is just sackings and recriminations won't get us anywhere.”—Agencies