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Ian Chappell blames Australia's selectors for World T20 exit

Last updated on: March 29, 2016 07:38 IST

Steven Smith

IMAGE: Australia's players wear a dejected look after losing to India in the World T20 match, in Mohali, on Sunday. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images .

Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell slammed his country's selectors for the team's batting failure during their six-wicket defeat to India in the World T20 clash at the Punjab Cricket Stadium, in Mohali, on Sunday.

Australia failed to counter India's bowling attack for long and were restricted to 160 for six in their stipulated 20 overs despite being given a thunderous start by openers Aaron Finch (43) and Usman Khwaja (26).

The 72-year-old pointed out that the selectors' decision to move David Warner up and down in the batting order was a major reason behind Australia's early exit from the tournament, news.com.au reported.

Earlier, the Australian selectors had also dropped Finch for the opening matches of the tournament at the expense of Khawaja while the retiring Shane Watson was also moved from the top of the order down to the No 7 spot.

Describing Warner as a ‘match-winner’, Chappell insisted that he was more capable of frightening the opposition as compared to Khawaja.

Chappell believes that moving Warner down in the order messed his performance, and he was not able to perform at his absolute best.

Virat Kohli continued to reprise his role as Australia's tormentor-in-chief, smacking nine fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 82-run knock off just 51 balls as India chased down the massive target of 161 runs with five balls remaining.

 ICC World T20: Complete Coverage