'If non-performers aren't dropped, you can lose a series'

Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar on Wednesday said the selectors should not be afraid of dropping non-performing players but refused to criticise the selection of the side for the upcoming Asia Cup.      

There was a speculation that some senior players may be dropped in the wake of team's poor show in Australia.

However, the selectors refrained from making much changes in the side. 

Asked if the players should be dropped, if their performance is not up to the expectations, Gavaskar said, "Of course."

"If you don't do that, then it would mean that you can lose Test series 4-0, you can lose x number of matches. It does not matter. That's the message sent. If that's the case, we as cricket lovers must be prepared for such results in future as well," Gavaskar told NDTV.

Gavaskar, though, was in no mood to criticise the selectors for not making much changes to the side. 

"I guess we have to accept it. Once a team is selected, do not criticise it. It will affect their morale. If they don't perform then the players should be criticised," he said. 

"Personally, I would have had some more changes. That's the way to look forward. We'll have to see about 2015. We are not in a position to determine the fitness of the players at that time but we can see, if there will be the same hunger, zeal, focus. They got to move on."

Selectors on Wednesday 'rested' Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan but retained Sachin Tendulkar in the squad while Virat Kohli was elevated to vice-captaincy.

Gavaskar said may be the selectors could have given Viart more chances to get experience before giving additional responsibilities.

"It's a reward for his performance. It's tad unfair to Gautam Gambhir. Virat has plenty of cricket ahead of him. 

"He is future India captain but he needs to firmly establish himself in the team. In the meanwhile, let him get experience and exposure, so that when he becomes captain, he is ready," Gavaskar said.