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'There is no excuse for making 237 after winning the toss'
A dejected Michael Clarke was apologetic for letting fans down. Australia's captain, who withstood the Indian spin attack, hopes for a turnaround from his players.
"It would be more polite of me to not put this performance into words," said Michael Clarke, shortly after Australia suffered a humiliating innings and 135 runs defeat to India, with five sessions left to play, in the second Test at Hyderabad on Tuesday.
It was a result that ensured the visitors can no longer win the series.
In fact, going by their meek capitulation in the first two Tests, Australia will do well if they avoid a whitewash.
Clarke, without doubt the best Australian player in the series -- with 268 runs in four innings (@67.00), was candid in his admission.
'We haven't performed well enough and it is disappointing'
"We haven't performed well enough and it is disappointing," he said, adding, "There is no excuse for making 237 in the first innings having won the toss.
"Our shot selection has been horrible."
Having taken over as captain in the worst possible scenario -- in the fifth and final Test at Sydney in 2011, with England 2-1 up -- the ongoing series, without doubt, is Clarke's worst as captain.
It's not just the fact that Australia lost; the manner in which they caved in came as a surprise. The visitors gave up early in each of the two Tests, without putting up a semblance of a fight, leaving their captain with no option but to own up for the two abject surrenders.
'We have let our fans down, we have let each other down as well'
"Our performance in these two matches has been nowhere near the standards we set out to achieve," admitted Clarke.
"We have let our fans down, we have let each other down as well," he added.
Clarke was categorical in pointing out the area where he felt his team lacked.
"I'm more concerned about our performances in the first innings than in the second," he explained.
"Even before coming in for the series we were aware that in the second innings there would be variable bounce on these wickets.
"Moreover, we won the toss and batted first in both the matches."
'India deserves a lot of credit for these results'
"Our poor first innings scores has let us down in this series so far."
While being critical of his side's performance, rather lack of it, he was effusive in praise of Team India's efforts.
"India deserves a lot of credit for these results," said Clarke, before proceeding to compliment the hosts' batting.
"They (India's batsmen) showed us how to bat in these conditions, especially after getting in and having settled down. They had the discipline, the patience to bat for longer periods and got their rewards."
'The performance we have put in these two matches is unacceptable'
Clarke said his team has a lot of work to do if they are to square the series, while also adding there won't be a change of approach.
"We go into each Test match with the intent of winning it and that is not going to change.
"However, the performance we have put in these two matches is unacceptable and there's enough work that is needed to be done.
"We will try to address those areas ahead of Mohali," he concluded.