Thiruvananthapuram: Disappointed with the Indian cricket team's performance in New Zealand, Sports Minister Vikram Verma on Thursday urged the team to do some "introspection" and practice on bouncy pitches ahead of the World Cup in South Africa next month. "India's performance was really poor and it is a fact that the conditions were not conducive. But now, Indians should just look forward and prepare for the World Cup by drawing lessons from the failures in New Zealand. Let them do some introspection," Verma told reporters. Verma said in all likelihood the team will encounter similar green top pitches in South Africa and his ministry will suggest to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to provide the team lively tracks for practice before embarking for the World Cup. Criticising media attitude towards the cricketers, the minister said, "When they were on a winning run recently, they were the ones billed to win the World Cup. But now when they have a lean patch, the media is unsparing in its criticism." "You know cricket is a game of uncertainties. At this crucial juncture when we are going to the World Cup, rather than being negative you all should boost their morale," the minister said. Extras:
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Tags: cricket, world cup, sports minister vikram verma, bouncy pitches, conditions, introspection, green top pitches, board of control for cricket in india (bcci), practice, media, criticism, morale.