Stung by the Indian cricket team's recent string of reverses, the Cricket Board has said it would initiate a "thorough and complete review" of the performance of the players and take immediate remedial steps.
The Board also said that it expected the selectors to take appropriate decisions in the wake of defeats in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe which had disappointed the country.
BCCI President Ranbir Singh Mahendra said former Test cricketers Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and S Venkatraghvan besides coach Greg Chappell will conduct the five-day review starting September 25.
"A thorough and complete review of individual performances, performance of the Captain and the physical fitness of players would be carried out," Mahendra told Rajat Sharma in India TV's 'Aap Ki Adalat' programme to be telecast on Saturday.
Mahendra said he expected the selectors to take remedial steps soon after the Zimbabwe tour. "They (selectors) are independent but I do expect the selectors to do something after this series," he said.
"I expect the players to do much better, I have myself talked to many of them, I have reminded them of the hopes and aspirations of the cricketing public. Indeed, they too realise that the country is disappointed... All the players I have talked to said they are worried."
We respect the feeling of the entire country and we sincerely hope the cricketing heroes understand that as well. In this light, I have called for a thorough review of individual performances, the coach's report on the state of physical fitness of the players and issues related to alleged indiscipline..." Mahendra said.
He also made it clear that the BCCI would not allow any leniency when it came to performance and the stars would have to deliver or face the music. He, however, said it was premature to use the tri-series in Zimbabwe as a "sole barometer" for players like Rahul Dravid who was a proven performer. On captain Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra said "no judgement should be made in the midst of an ongoing series."
"I expect the players to do much better, I have myself talked to many of them, I have reminded them of the hopes and aspirations of the cricketing public. Indeed, they too realise that the country is disappointed... All the players I have talked to said they are worried."
We respect the feeling of the entire country and we sincerely hope the cricketing heroes understand that as well. In this light, I have called for a thorough review of individual performances, the coach's report on the state of physical fitness of the players and issues related to alleged indiscipline..." Mahendra said.
He also made it clear that the BCCI would not allow any leniency when it came to performance and the stars would have to deliver or face the music. He, however, said it was premature to use the tri-series in Zimbabwe as a "sole barometer" for players like Rahul Dravid who was a proven performer. On captain Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra said "no judgement should be made in the midst of an ongoing series."
Asked why "old" players were being given preference again and again, he said "you cannot sideline your parents just because they are old."
"The team is in a period of transition and we should expect them to start performing soon. We will do everything for World Cup 2007," the BCCI chief said adding that coach Chappell had conveyed to him that some of the players were not physically fit enough.
"The coach has sent me this input and I expect him to bring this up in the review meeting."