BCCI rules out inquiry into Test-series debacle in Australia

Chennai: India suffered a humiliating 0-4 Test series whitewash against Australia last month and had the dubious distinction of losing their eighth successive match overseas but the Cricket Board on Monday ruled an inquiry into the performance of the team in the disastrous tour.

Board President N Srinivasan said there was no need for an inquiry and the selectors and coaches will look into ways of improving the performance of the team. "It is not proper to have a discussion on the performance of the team while the tour is on. It is a long tour. We had a four-Test series and a tri-series besides Twenty20 matches, which we split with Australia. We have begun well (in tri-series). I think it is premature to talk of an inquiry. I mean, there is no need at all, if you ask me," Srinivasan told a press conference in Chennai. "Let the team come back and it is upto the selectors, the coach and the others to evaluate what needs to be done further to improve performance if they consider it so necessary," he added. Srinivasan acknowledged that the team had not done well in England and Australia but said it had won the series at home against West Indies, besides winning the World Cup. "It is the same team that eight months ago was the toast of India after winning the World Cup. It is true that we lost to England. But the team had success in India against the West Indies. And, yet again, I mean, all of us know what happened in the Test series in Australia," he said. Srinivasan said the overall cricket scenario in the country has been good with the game attracting enough eyeballs. "We have had ups and downs in cricket but the viewership has been good. We had lots of cricket last year, won the World Cup and then there was IPL. Every year it`s packed with cricket so I don`t think we need to be concerned about that." On the controversial Umpire Decision Review System, Srinivasan said that the stand of the BCCI of opposing the UDRS has been vindicated. "Our stand has been vindicated. More countries are saying that DRS is not accurate enough. ICC doesn`t play cricket, members do. We don`t have problems with members," he said. PTI