Waugh advices Indian selectors to be more patient

Sydney, Jan 4 (UNI) Former Australian captain Steve Waugh has suggested the Indian selectors to be more patient and focussed in order to build a strong team for the future.

''The toughest job for an India coach is to deal with what the selectors in the country want,'' Waugh said.

''If you're trying to build something for the future you don't have time to put things in place. I think in some ways the problem in India is patience, or the lack of patience.

Waugh said that Greg Chappell's unsuccessful tenure was a result of selector's lack of patience as they wanted immediate results.

He further added that India should look beyond the senior players who are in the last stage of their career and should find talent for the future.

''[It was the same] with Australia in the 1980s, when they lost four or five players. They picked a core group of people, believed in them and sorted out the tough times. I think the Indian selectors will understand that it's time to think of the future.'' While referring to the bunch of senior Indian players whose age has been a talking point for a few months now, he said.

''I think fitness is the issue. If you're strong and fit, age really is irrelevant. These days players are much better looked after, there's good maintenance, and good fitness programmes.

''Thirty five today is like 30 fifteen years ago. I can't see why players can't play till they're 40. The issue will be if they can stay away from their families,'' he added.

He also praised the former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly who made remarkable comeback after he was dumped by the selectors and remained out of the national team for 12 months.

''We've met a few times after I retired. I respect him as a player. We had some issues on the field but that's all part of the game. But it's tremendous the way he's come back. He's playing better than I've ever seen him play,'' the former captain said.

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