Kirsten plays the same tune as Dhoni on tight schedules

Karachi, July 1 (UNI) While Mahendra Singh Dhoni's worries about the tight schedules had little effect on the BCCI, Indian coach Gary Kirsten has joined his captain and said the performance of the players has been suffering due to too of much cricket off late.

''It would be unfair to expect players to play so much of cricket in such short span of time in 35 degrees of heat. I think that three games in four days in this heat took a toll on the players,'' Kirsten told mediapersons after the team's practice session.

''Due to the schedule, the pace was off a little bit in last game but we are not concerned about it and guys are fielding well in the nets and we're happy with that. Yes, we made few mistakes in last games, and the guys are aware of that,'' he added.

Earlier, Dhoni had lashed out at the tight schedule of the ongoing Asia Cup where India had to play back-to-back matches in the group stage. However, the team, got two-day break after that but play Pakistan tomorrow, followed by Sri Lanka the next day.

The former South African opener further added that his wards are keen to get back to the field after a the break and said the matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka would are the ones they are looking forward to.

''The guys are good performers and they always want to do well.

As I've said earlier, there are players we are working on and I hope they will execute in the next games,'' he stated.

''Sri Lanka is playing good cricket, they're a good side, a very well organised team. They have got a good team and like Pakistan, they're also going to be a tough opponent,'' he added.

Kirsten said the flat tracks in the Asia Cup have made the task for bowlers a lot difficult, while the batsmen have been dominating in the tournament which has resulted in tall scores by the teams.

''But we have come up with a couple of ideas on what we are going do and have spent some times with bowlers. We believe in these bowlers, they're the same bowlers who did exceptionally well in Australia. We've identified what we need to do on these wickets,'' he said.

Kirsten also came in defense of young Rohit Sharma who hasn't been consistent at all and said the promising raght-hander would soon be back amongst runs.

''We back him fully in the team. He is a star of the future, we continue to work on his game and give him options in terms of what he can do on a cricket field. We are very exited about his talent,'' he said.

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