Clearly, the Indian team is on the back foot and the fast bowling attack now looks inexperienced with only Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma featuring in Tests before.

Former pace bowler Madan Lal, who coached the Indian team in for a year ufffd 1996 to 1997, cannot comprehend how India keep finding themselves in such situations time and again. "The trainer and physiotherapist have got to be accountable," said Madan, who pressed for the promotion of young talent. "Now that we have lost Zaheer and Sreesanth, the team management must look at Abhimanyu Mithun, Umesh Yadav and Jaidev Unadkat. "You should play the youngsters in Tests as it is the best way to groom them," he added.u00a0

Rookies Umesh Yadav and Jaidev Unadkat flew in a few days ago to beef up the squad. On the task of claiming 20 wickets, Madan said: "The wickets will be helpful to the batters. If they put a big total, then Harbhajan and the rest have the ability to bowl the opposition out twice."