Defeat would leave India low on morale: Gavaskar

New Delhi, Nov 6 : Former captain Sunil Gavaskar reckons the narrow loss that India suffered in Hyderabad has left the team devastated and also adviced the hosts to rethink about their team composition.

The three-run loss to Australia last night was India's second defeat on trot in the seven-match series and Gavaskar said the morale in the Indian camp would be very low.

''The team will be devastated. They looked to be cruising until they were 15 runs away from victory,'' said the former Indian opener.

''It's now upto Dhoni and the senior players to lift the morale of the team. This is the second time they have come so close against a depleted Australian side, it doesnt give much confidence,'' Gavaskar said on CNN-IBN's Sunny Side Up.

''India need to look at the composition of the side. If Jadeja comes in at number 7 then play another regular bowler or take Yuvraj, Raina or Sehwag as the fifth bowler.'' Like many other fans across the country, Gavaskar too was disappointed that Sachin Tendulkar's 141-ball 175-run knock went in vain as India failed to reach home.

However, he admitted that it was one of the best innings that the master blaster has played in his long career.

''Even if you give a brilliant performance but the team doesnt win. There is no joy there.

'It was definitely one of Sachin's top efforts. Chasing 350 and he also had to try and get past the 17,000-run mark.

''One could feel the pressure, everyone was tense. The moment he got past it (17,000 runs) was when we saw the Tendulkar of old. He was free of the shackles he had imposed on himself.

''It was a serious privilege to watch him bat from such close proximity,'' said Gavaskar, who is also in the commentary team for the series.

''He has a childish enthusiasm for the game. He keeps raising the bar for himself, that's what keeps him going.

The moment his whole hearted involvement in the game drops, he will decide to get out of game,'' he observed.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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