Sunil Gavaskar slams 'complacent' Virender Sehwag for his lethargic efforts, praises Virat Kohli

Former India captain and NDTV cricket expert Mr Sunil Gavaskar slammed Virender Sehwag's lazy efforts while fielding in slip position in Nagpur. He, however, was happy with Virat Kohli taking on Jonathan Trott.

When asked if it was unfair to criticise Virender Sehwag, who couldn't collect the catch of Kevin Pietersen, while standing at first slip, Mr Gavaskar said: "What's unfair? The man was just not bending. What do you expect in Test cricket, against spinners that the catches will come above the knee? The catches will invariably be around the knee or below the knee. By him (Sehwag), standing in a way that he was, he didn't do any favour to the team." (Watch: Sunil Gavaskar on Team India,Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli)

"The bowlers, in any case, are finding it hard to get past the outside edge, and when that edge comes you find somebody whose balance is all wrong," he added.

And while Mr Gavaskar accepted the fact that Sehwag was no Dravid, he added the effort certainly fell in the category of complacency. "When you are committed to the team, you do everything. These are five days that's all India is asking for...to give all that you have from the time you step onto the field," Mr Gavaskar said.

Mr Gavaskar also lambasted the support staff and said it had zero control on the players. "Today players were waiting for two-three players to complete their interviews by the time they started their warm-ups. This indicates to me that the support staff has zero control on the players. They are not able to tell the team that 'let those two players finish their interviews, let's start warming up'. The sooner we start looking into all these matters, better it will be for the Indian cricket."

The Little Master, however, was impressed with Virat Kohli for taking on Jonathan Trott after an appeal of his catch was turned down by umpire Kumar Dharamsena.   

Trott, then batting on 43 in England's second innings total of 123 for three, tried to cut a short delivery from pacer Ishant Sharma which was taken behind the stumps by Mahendra Singh Dhoni who threw it high up in the air in delight only to see his claim rejected by Dharmasena.

Following that, Kohli ran up to the batsman and exchanged a few words after which square leg umpire Rod Tucker summoned Dhoni.

"Jonathan Trott has not been very quiet in slip position. He has plenty to say to the Indian batsmen. So Kohli was just giving it back and I think it is a good attitude. I am not for a moment advocating bad words or abuse of the opponent. It's a complete 'no-no' for me. But when you are given a bit of a stick by the close-in fielders, it's about time you gave it back when it's your turn to field. So I am very happy with the way Virat Kohli did that and with the way he was joined by Ravindra Jadeja and the others,"  Mr Gavaskar said.

"That's what the Indian cricket team needs.  That's the kind of guys the Indian cricket needs, guys who are 'in-your-face'...guys who are not going to take a step back. That's the kind of cricketers you need," he added.

India is staring at their first series defeat against England in 28 years. When asked what lesson India should learn from this series, Mr Gavaskar said: "Don't be complacent, don't be happy with just one performance and never underestimate your opponent. India underestimated their opponent and they have paid the price."