These days there is so much money pouring in through sponsors that the performance of the team as a whole is not given importance by the players. The attitude they convey, more often than not, though not in as many words is that: `As long as I perform, that's what matters. If it helps the team in the bargain, that's fine -- if not well, it's hard luck. What a pity!

There is an urgent need for somebody at the top to crack the whip when necessary. But, tell me, who will stick his neck out and do it? Do we have anybody connected with the team or in the Board gutsyenough? Just look around -- you won't find a solitary soul to call the tune. Bar none, they are all there to indulge in public relations, to hold on desperately to their positions, and to hell with Indian cricket.

What we need is people who won't bat an eyelid to call a spade a spade. We've had enough of the kind who subscribe to the theory of `You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours'. Indian cricket needs people who will take tough decisions and, more importantly, who have the betterment of the game at heart.

Just compare our lads to the other teams in the fray, and you'll find that they lacked the required fitness to compete at this high level, which is another disturbing factor. Yes, if it's skill you're talking about, our lads were good, very good. But, mention fitness and some of them will fall flat on their faces. Did we not have as many as four fielders to hide in the outfield, a couple of whom could not even throw in from the fence, which gave an extra run every time. What a luxury!

Cricket hasbecome a speed-and-power game in which fitness of every player is of paramount importance. Extras count, and we gave away far too many which cost us matches. This, mind you, when the Indians were carrying a doctor as well as the Australian physio.