Opting to field first a mistake: Prasanna
Monday, March 24 2003 15:15 Hrs (IST)

Bangalore: Acclaimed former off spinner E A S Prasanna believes India made a mistake by fielding first after winning the toss in the World Cup final against the formidable Australians.

Prasanna told that Saurav Ganguly-led Indians should have batted first. With even 180 runs to 200 runs on board, India could have made a match out of it, he said. "Winning toss was vital. The moment we decided to field, we lost the initiative and advantage", he said.

India lost to Australia by 125 runs on Sunday at the Wanderers.

Had India batted first, the game would have been different, he said. Australians with resilience and tenacity could have overtaken India's score and still won but India could have made a match out of it, he felt.

Prasanna said he thought it would have been good if India had included a couple of more youngsters in the 15-member squad. They need not have been given a chance in the playing XI but practising along with the likes of Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar would have made a world of good to them.

But leg-spin legend B S Chandrashekar did not share Prasanna's perception that India should have batted first.

Both Prasanna and Chandrashekar said India reaching the final itself is a great achievement and Indians did a good job but eventually lost to a better side. They said the bowlers did not bowl well in the final.

PTI

Extras:
'I am proud of the way Saurav has handled the team'
'I have never wanted to prove to anybody except myself'
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