Waugh: Dhoni’s comments negative for game

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh criticised Mahendra Singh Dhoni for asking the curators to “doctor the pitches” and pointed out that if a side wants to be the best it should be able to negotiate all conditions. “Dhoni’s comments this morning were really negative to the game, when he said Indian curators to doctor the pitches, which I can’t understand,” Waugh said during the India-Australia Innovative Forum on Tuesday. The Indian skipper, after winning the first Test against England at Ahmedabad on Sunday, expressed his displeasure at the Motera wicket and said that: “We wanted the curators to prepare the pitches that will turn from day one.” “You want to be aggressive and be the best in the world, you got to take all the conditions and not always ask for the conditions that suits your style of play. “I was a bit surprised with that. I think if you are looking to be the best in the world you got to learn to play in all conditions,” said Waugh. The former great said that during his tenure as the head of the Australian team he was never bothered about what sort of wicket they were playing on. “I captained the side for 57 games and never once had a word with the curator about what sort of pitch we are going to play,” Waugh added. However, the veteran of 168 Tests said that India were the favourites to win the four-match rubber against England. “India are a strong side, always hard to beat in India and some of the young players are coming through, which is great sign for Indian cricket. (Cheteshwar) Pujara getting a double century, Virat Kohli, (Pragyan) Ojha taking wickets, it is great for Indian cricket. “You got to have to turn out of this, no players are bigger than the game and someone will always step up. “Sometimes you get too carried away that experienced players are irreplaceable but the natural thing will happen, someone will step up to play and take that role.”