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Don't get carried away: Chappell
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July 04, 2006 23:34 IST

Coach Greg Chappell [Images] has described the performance of the young pace bowlers in India's series win in the Caribbean as "outstanding" and said the team now has the bowlers to win under any conditions.

"We have won with three young fast bowlers and it's a credit. Along with Irfan Pathan [Images], we have got four fast bowlers of variety, which would help us to play under any conditions, inside or outside India. I think we are better equipped than ever before," Chappell said.

The Australian great however made a plea not to over-react to the series triumph.

- Images from India's first series win in the Caribbean in 35 years

"I have been in cricket for long to know that you can't overreact to anything. Good or bad. We shouldn't get carried away. We have a lot of work to do before we become a very good Test team," remarked Chappell, as he prepared to leave for the United States on a short vacation.

The series victory was India's first significant rubber triumph outside the subcontinent in 20 years.

Chappell said it took time to build a strong Test team and people should not expect miracles overnight.

"England [Images] beat Australia [Images] in the Ashes last year and it took them five years to build that team. I don't know why there is expectation that we can do it in 60 minutes. Playing good Test cricket takes 20 to 30 Test matches before a player really understands what Test cricket is all about," the coach added.

Along with these youngsters, Chappell underlined the performance of senior cricketers, which was a major contributor to the success.

"Rahul Dravid [Images] was awesome. His performance on that wicket (in Sabina Park) was critical. He was the outstanding batsman from both sides.

"He continually strives to get better. When he got out in the first innings, he didn't complain about the wicket. His comment was. 'I should have been forward'. It shows the mindset of an individual who is wanting to get better and better. "

Chappell said the Indian captain would occupy pride of place in the annals of cricket.

"History would show that he is one of the best players for anyone, forget about India. It takes difficult conditions for the cream to come to the top. He came to the top in this game and we needed him because he was the best equipped player to deal with the situation."

Fellow Bangalorean Anil Kumble [Images] also came in for special praise.

"Like Dravid, Anil Kumble, one of our other senior players, did tremendously well. He set a great example for the younger players.

"Kumble said to me this morning that he has been coming away for 16 years and it's the first series win in that time. A couple of boys are on their first or second tour.

"I hope it changes the mindset of Indian cricket to touring and chances of success away from home," the coach said.

Chappell also backed Dravid in his evolution as captain.

"He is very good and prepared to take some tough decisions. Batting first in Antigua wasn't the easiest of decisions. Batting first here wasn't either. Dravid will continue to improve until the day he retires," he said.

Looking back at the series, Chappell said, "We did not have some very good days but generally you don't have five non-stop good days. We went through some tough times. The fact that it took us the last Test to win the series is probably the good thing for us. It made us realise that we still have got some work to do.

"We failed to win the Test in Antigua because we dropped catches. We dropped a few in St Lucia and obviously the weather interfered. That we did it in the last Test means probably the lessons we learnt were greater. The victory is even sweeter," the batting legend said.

He complimented the team for showing an ability to come back strongly from tough times but said there is always room for improvement, which would take time.

"This side has shown resilience and that's heartening. After the one-dayers, our performance could have nose-dived.

"The process never ends. I would like to think the process ends, but I think it's an ongoing process. We have to get a lot better on batting and bowling on slower wickets. We have a tour of Sri Lanka [Images] coming up which is similar. It would give us a chance to work on a few things and get better at," Chappell added.



India's tour of West Indies: The Complete Coverage

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