Alastair Cook should step down as England captain: Ian Chappell

Alastair Cook should step down as England captain: Ian Chappell

New Delhi: The Ashes is still six months away but keeping true to their nature Australians have already indulged in their famous mind games. Former Australia captain and now a famous commentator, Ian Chappell has asked for the removal of England captain Alastair Cook, holding him responsible for the 0-4 drubbing against India. 

Heaping praises on Team India for their outstanding performance, Chappell said that India can do no wrong now. “Of late, it doesn't seem to matter what combination India utilise, it's the right one. India have a seemingly endless production line of prolific young batsmen; huge totals plus the guile of spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, have proved to be an irresistible combination,” wrote a Chappell in his column published at ESPNcricinfo. 

Chappell, however, did not have the same opinion about England, particularly about their skipper Alastair Cook.   

“Alastair Cook is invaluable as an opening batsman but a conservative captain who is badly battle-scarred. Cook's captaincy features an inability to stem the flow of runs once the opposition get on a roll,” added Chappell. 

Chappell believed it is the right time for the England captain to step down and give time for a new captain to learn the nuances. 

“It can be the right time for him to step down. If he continues as captain and then has another horror day or two in the field he will be right back where he was following the Chennai debacle. Then he will wonder why he continued. Even worse, his team-mates will be thinking exactly the same, and valuable time to bed in a new captain will have been lost.” 

Before the Ashes kick starts from July, Australia will come to India to take on the No. 1 side in a four-match Test series and Chappell believed it will tough to beat the Virat Kohli led side in their own backyard. 

“India have just sent England packing with their tail between their legs and that humiliation should be a warning to Australia: pick specialists rather than players who do a bit of each,” Chappell wrote.