Legendary spinner Bishen Singh Bedi was so livid with India's performance that he just refused to entertain a discussion about the embarrassing loss.
NEW DELHI: Numbed by mighty India's abject surrender to cricket's tiny tot Bangladesh in the World Cup, former cricketers feel Rahul Dravid's men should "forget about winning the trophy" and concentrate on entering the Super 8 stage.
Legendary spinner Bishen Singh Bedi was so livid with India's performance that he just refused to entertain a discussion about the embarrassing loss.
"It's all over, what should I say? Let's not discuss it anymore," he said.
Asked if India could still make it to the Super 8, he said "I don't know how the calculations would be made, so my guess is as good as yours."
India, who lost by five wickets in their opening match, now need to win both their ties against Bermuda, to be played tomorrow, and Sri Lanka, on March 23, by big margins.
Former World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev said the Indian team at the moment needed just to concentrate on advancing to the Super 8 stage.
"Forget about winning the World Cup. Just concentrate on getting through to the Super 8 stage which is looking very difficult now," he said.
"I urge the fans to remain supportive of the team because the boys need our backing," he added.
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on the Bangla Tigers and said India should learn from them how to win.
"Let's give credit where it's due. I think Bangladesh were brilliant out there," Gavaskar said on a Sports channel.
"Their spinners were outstanding and the way their batsmen responded, I would not take anything away from them," he added.
Another former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has still not lost hope as he said India were not lacking in skills and ability but needed self-belief for success.
"We should still not lose hope, the chances are still here (to advance to the Super 8). They are no lacking in ability but they have to believe in themselves," he said.
Kalyan Goswami, a retired government employee, was at his wit's end to explain the debacle.
"So the much-vaunted line-up can't play even full 50 overs against a Bangla attack. Can anyone tell me why they are carrying a non-performing asset like Sehwag in the side?" he said.
"If you can't regain your form against Bangladesh then you are not going to get it back ever. He doesn't score but is still there, as if the team owes him money."
Another disappointed cricket buff said India needed an "astute" captain to win the matches and not just an honest individual like Rahul Dravid to lead the side.
"Dravid is a likeable fellow and admitted he could not read the pitch. But the problem is we needed an astute captain and not just an honest individual to do the job.
"Thanks to Bangladesh, and Ireland too, the line of difference between mighty and the minnow stands blurred and that's the only positive out of India's defeat," he said.
Former Indian cricketer Chetan Chauhan said "It was their (Bangladesh) day. Catches did not reach our fielders. Whatever they did clicked and our players looked off colour.
"West Indies were also bowled out for just 85 but that does not make West Indies a bad team. This is why cricket is called a game of uncertainties."
Chauhan also said Sehwag's batting down the order would help the struggling batsman and the team.
"Sehwag should bat in the middle order. At this moment his confidence level is down and opening the innings is not going to help him. He must play at number five or six. This will help him in regaining the touch which ultimately will help the team," Chauhan said.
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