India did not do their basics right in semi-final: Shane Warne

Pre-tournament favorites India got their basics wrong in yesterday’s high-scoring semifinal against the West Indies here and paid the penalty to make an early exit from the ICC World T20 championship, according to Australian leg spin legend Shane Warne.

‘I backed India for the title before the tournament, but yesterday they did not do their basics right. The couple of no-balls and the dew cost them dearly,’ said Warne at a ‘Monarch Cruise’ function in Mumbai on Friday.

India rattled up 192 for 2, their second-highest ever score in the tournament history but were flattened by newly inducted West Indies opener Lendl Simmons’ unbeaten knock of 83, after being caught twice off no-balls bowled by off spinner R Ashwin and medium pacer Hardik Pandya, who piloted them home to a seven-wicket victory with two balls to spare.

‘Virat Kohli did so well yesterday. He’s the best T20 player at No. 3 for me,’ said Warne about Kohli’s unbeaten 89 which laid the foundation for India’s big score.

‘I thought 192 was a good score, but in 20-20 anything can happen. When Chris Gayle was out (cheaply), I thought India will win. But credit to the West Indies and now I look forward to the final against England (April 3 in Kolkata),’ added Warne.

‘I will have to look at the wicket and conditions in Kolkata before commenting,’ said Warne when asked who was the favourite for the title.

Warne said he was not a man to say no to any proposition such as coaching the Indian team but presently his plate was full as a Tv broadcaster and professional poker player.

‘I never said no to anything and India is a very talented team. But there are very few free days left in the year (because of his various commitments). If you are not 100 per cent you should not say yes (to any proposition). If any opportunity comes about down the line I will think about it,’ he added.

Former Australia speedster Brett Lee, also present at the function, said he was not free at present to take up a job like coaching a national team like India who are without a head coach after the exit of Duncan Fletcher of Zimbabwe and are currently guided by team director Ravi Shastri.

‘I love coming to India which I consider as my second home. But I am not sure whether I am ready as I am very busy right now,’ said Lee.