The Indian cricket team wanted to show "solidarity" with the country's Army in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, bowling coach Bharat Arun said Monday, defending the decision to wear camouflage military caps during the third ODI in Ranchi.
All the Indian players came out wearing the caps handed over to them by former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is also an honorary Lieutenant Colonel with the Territorial Army.
"We did what we really felt, we needed to do it for the country, in solidarity with what Army has done for the country. In some we wanted to show we appreciate the cause," Arun said on the eve of the fifth and final ODI.
The gesture was not well received by the Pakistani politicians, who demanded an ICC action, calling it politicisation of the game.
"It's beyond us what PCB is saying, beyond our control. The BCCI has done well to take permission from the ICC," Arun said.
A tinge of patriotism has been added to fifth and final ODI as well as the organisers have covered parts of the Wellingdon Pavilion with the tri-colour.
Consequently, ICC earlier clarified that the BCCI had sought permission from it to wear the caps as a mark of respect to the security personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attack.
India suffered a second defeat in the fourth ODI, resulting Australia levelling the series at 2-2. The visitors chased down 358 under 48 overs, marking Australia's highest ever run chase in Mohali.
The bowling coach, however, believes that questioning the bowlers just because of a one-off game is not fair on them.
"These are the bowlers that have really put us in a winning position many times, we have a success rate of more than 75 per cent and that is a huge success record for a team. And yes, these things do happen as the last game and I am happy that it happened now and it will show us where we need to improve before the World Cup," Arun said.
Arun further said one needs to appreciate the knock Ashton Turner played, adding the dew played a role in easing Australia's problem but such errors cannot be repeated.
"You have to appreciate the knock Ashton Turner played. I am not giving excuses, dew played a key role and you have to accept that. Yes, we did not bowl as well as we planned for him, but I am sure we will learn from the last game and we will improve," Arun said.
On being asked whether there is a need to experiment with the combination ahead of the World Cup, Arun said they are trying to give every player a chance before the prestigious tournament to assess their best possible playing XI.
"I think more or less the team is sure of what the combination really is, but yes we would like to try out all are option our that there are no second thoughts of choosing our best XI in the World Cup," Arun said.
The absence of MS Dhoni opened the door for Rishabh Pant, who is being constantly compared with the former captain. Coming in rescue of Pant, who missed a couple of stumpings in Mohali, the bowling coach said Pant needs some time and it is unfair to compare him with Dhoni.
"It is unfair to compare Pant and Dhoni. Dhoni's experience is huge whenever Virat needs to talk. We will be extremely sure of what we want before going to the World Cup," Arun said.
India and Australia, tied at 2-2, will play in the decider and fifth ODI at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on March 13.
(With PTI and ANI Inputs)
