SPORTS
India captain MS Dhoni conceded on Tuesday that the preparations for the series had not been ideal.
The BCCI Wednesday refused to react to widespread criticism about the lack of preparation by the Indian team in the run-up to the Test series against England which it is trailing 0-2 right now.
"I don't react to media criticisms. I don't want to react to anything," BCCI Chief Shashank Manohar said.
India, fighting to retain the world number one ranking, have been thrashed by huge margins in the first two Tests by hosts England and are in clear danger of losing the four-match series.
England need to win the rubber by a two-match margin to overtake India and shoot to the top of the official ICC Test rankings.
Among the strong critics was Dhoni's predecessor Sourav Ganguly, who blamed the absence of enough warm-up games for the team's predicament.
"I am a firm believer that every time you tour, you need at least two warm-up games and they absolutely could have played an extra game," said the Bengal stalwart, who retired from international cricket a few years ago.
India captain Dhoni, under fire after having lost the first match at Lord's by 196 runs and the next at Trent Bridge by 319 runs, conceded on Tuesday the preparations for the series had not been ideal.
"It's a mental thing as well, because for some of us it's been a seven-match Test series with hardly a gap. The preparation needs to be slightly different which is why we are saying the next ten days are important for us not only physically but mentally as well," the Ranchi-born wicket keeper batsman said in England, the scheduled fifth day of the second Test.
India had one extra day's rest after being beaten within four days in Nottingham. They arrived in England straight after completing a three-Test series in the West Indies that Dhoni took part in.
The Indians went into the high-profile Test rubber after a lone three-day warm-up game against Somerset that Dhoni skipped totally while iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar and pace spearhead Zaheer Khan batted and bowled only in the first innings.
Khan, who missed the entire Caribbean visit due to an ankle injury, later pulled up with a hamstring strain after bowling only 13 full overs in the Lord's Test, which reduced India to a three-man attack in the match.
Dhoni has been shoddy with his glove work and out of touch with the bat while champion batsman Tendulkar showed signs of slowly getting into the groove during his well-crafted half century in the second innings of the Nottingham match but is still waiting for his 100th international hundred. Khan missed the second Test.
Off spinner Harbhajan Singh, who completed 400 Test wickets at Lord's after giving away over 200 runs and was a virtual passenger with the ball in the Trent Bridge tie, also complained of an abdominal strain during the England second innings.
The Indians now have a two-day tour game in Northampton before the do-or-die third Test of the rubber scheduled in Edgbaston, Birmingham, from August 10.
The fourth and last Test is to be played at The Oval from August 18.
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope spots Jupiter's great Red Spot shaking like...
'It was my...': Javed Akhtar REVEALS reason behind his failed first marriage with Honey Irani
Dawood Ibrahim is scared of me, says Bigg Boss 18 contestant Gunratan Sadavarte
Who is Zarin Daruwala, Standard Chartered's India CEO set to retire in April 2025?
Madhura Naik recalls family's encounter with Hamas militants, says 'it was...’
Big setback for India as Rohit Sharma may miss first Test of Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia
DSP to IPS officer: Meet woman who cracked UPSC exam in first attempt, her AIR was...
'I would feel like jumping off...': When Mrunal Thakur revealed she had suicidal thoughts due to...
Bigg Boss 18: These five contestants are nominated for eviction in first week of Salman Khan's show
Rohit Sharma meets injured Musheer Khan after accident, pic goes viral
Women's T20 World Cup 2024: How can India qualify for semifinals after 82-run win over Sri Lanka?
When Ratan Tata kneeled down with MBA graduates to pose for photo; see viral pic
Joe Root scripts history in Multan Test, joins Virat Kohli in THIS elite list
Ratan Tata did THIS work in 20 days, but govt took years to do it
PAK vs ENG: Harry Brook breaks Virender Sehwag's 20-year-old record with triple century vs Pakistan
When I Told World Icon Ratan Tata ‘You Are the Real James Bond of the Business Community’: Jay Patel
Good news! UP govt declares public holiday on THIS day; check details
How Ratan Tata's dog 'Goa' got his name, know story behind it
Nobel Prize 2024 in Literature awarded to Han Kang: Who is she?
PAK vs ENG: Joe Root equals Sachin Tendulkar's record with heroics in Multan Test
Daily Habits to Rejuvenate Your Eye Contour
WATCH: Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani and family pay homage to Ratan Tata at NCPA
Tennis legend Rafael Nadal announces retirement, ends illustrious career with 22 Grand Slam titles
Virat Kohli's old video singing 'sajna ve sajna' with Harbhajan Singh goes viral again, watch video
Bitcoin creator's true identity exposed in an HBO documentary, he is…
Ratan Tata's influence continues as Tata Group shares including Tata Power, Tata Steel rise
'His loss will be...': Bill Gates shares photo with Ratan Tata, calls him 'visionary leader'
IND vs BAN: Riyan Parag bowls with bizarre action, ends up bowling rare no-ball, watch viral video
ZEE proposes biographical film on Ratan Tata's life as humble tribute to his legacy
Will Samajwadi Party's alliance with Congress continue? SP chief Akhilesh Yadav breaks his silence
From 'Ugly Duckling' to 'White Swan': Kabir Bedi traces Rekha's remarkable journey as she turns 70
Ratan Tata didn’t recognise Amitabh Bachchan while traveling together, superstar then...
An untold story: Here's how Ratan Tata extended unwavering support to victims of 26/11 attack
Another masterstroke by Gautam Adani, plans to raise more than Rs 1,67,92,60,00,000 through…
Beyond Cash and Cards: Rise of AI-Powered Payment
Meet woman, Tata Son's first female director who shaped Ratan Tata's personality, for whom he left…
Hunter's Moon October 2024: When, where to watch biggest supermoon of the year
7th Pay Commission: Good news for central govt employees, 3% DA hike likely to be announced on...
'Would sit and...': When Shah Rukh Khan made Mahima Chaudhary wait for 20 days on sets of Pardes
An untold story: Here's how Ratan Tata took 'revenge' on Ford after his humiliation by...
'Nuclear Submarines, Predator Drones': India clears mega deal worth Rs 80000 crore with US
Meet woman, who cleared UPSC exam without coaching, now a popular IPS officer, her AIR was…
Meet man, who worked in India's largest govt bank, later cracked NEET exam at age of 46, he is…
This hospital in India is among top 10 best hospitals, owned by Anil Ambani, its CEO is...
Who is Noel Tata, Ratan Tata’s half-brother? What does he do?
Ratan Tata Death: What happened to Him?
Meet Ratan Tata's likely heirs, the next generation of Tata Group
Why did Ratan Tata never marry? Legendary industrialist once revealed...
Ratan Tata Death: What was the religion of Tata Sons chairman emeritus?
Ratan Tata death: Did Tata Group chairman emeritus have kids? Check here
Ratan Tata death news: Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus and veteran industrialist dies at 86
Devara box office collection day 13: Jr NTR, Janhvi Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan film sinks further
DNA TV Show: AAP vs Centre over Delhi CM's residence forcibly vacated claim
Meet IPS officer who got new posting even after announcing his resignation, he is from...