London: After suffering a 4-0 whitewash in the Test series against England, India skipper MS Dhoni insists putting the blame entirely on IPL and India's new coach Duncan Fletcher is not right.
Observers and experts have bemoaned the influence of the lucrative IPL on India's dwindling form. Opening batsman Virender Sehwag missed the start of the England series after delaying shoulder surgery to play the IPL, but Dhoni still feels it's not about the IPL.
"This was not about the IPL. Let's not put everything on the IPL," urged Dhoni, who himself has so far
struggled with the bat in England.India's defeat also turned the spotlight on coach Duncan Fletcher, the man who took over from former coach Duncan Fletcher.
"It can only get better for Fletcher," Dhoni said. "The only place he can go from here is up. We didn't perform to our potential and he must be feeling bad."
Dhoni heaped praise on Rahul Dravid for his three centuries in the series and said Sachin Tendulkar missing his 100th century doesn't worry the team.
"We are not worried, Sachin is also not worried. Hopefully, it will happen in the one-day series."
India's batting in the Test series was led by Dravid, who has spent the bulk of his career in Tendulkar's shadow but is himself an undeniably great player.
"He loves England, he loves scoring here. He had to bat at different slots, opening and at number three, and that makes it more special," an admiring Dhoni said of Dravid. "When the team is not performing, the one who is performing feels more pressure because he knows he is expected to do well. He was truly brilliant."
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