Gavaskar critical of Kohli's century celebration

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday disapproved of Virat Kohli swearing at the Australian players after scoring a century in the final Test at Adelaide, terming it as "school kid" temperament.

Kohli had a wild celebration after reaching his century using some choicest of words against the Australian players, which Gavaskar said was unnecessary.

"Not just Virat, some other Indian players also. Instead of smiling after taking a wicket they were snarling. They were taking out something on somebody. If somebody taunted you on the field show it by scoring runs or taking wickets," Gavaskar said.

"Virat and some other youngsters were swearing at the opponents. That is like having a temperament of school kid cricket. They should not do that.

"When a Tendulkar, Dravid or a Laxman score a century they just raise the bat. By swearing or doing something like that brings down the focus," the former captain added.

Gavaskar, however, praised Kohli for the application he showed in his innings of 116 in India's first innings.

"What Virat has shown with his knock was that runs can be scored if you apply yourself. It shows he is a thinking cricketer. He will score lots of runs in future if he continues like that," Gavaskar told.

Gavaskar also applauded wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha for his gritty knock of 35 but said it was too early to say that he could replace captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Tests.

"His application was very good and (he) took the attack to the Australians. That's important considering that temperament has been a let down among the batsmen and bowlers. He was calm and cool. I think he knew that he wants to make a case for his place in the Test team as a batsman," said Gavaskar.

"When Dhoni comes into the Test team, Saha cannot be selected as a wicket-keeper. Let's not jump the gun and it's too early to say that Saha can replace Dhoni as Test wicket-keeper. Dhoni has done a yeoman service to the country," he added.

Gavaskar also said that India still have a chance to save the Adelaide Test as the pitch was still assisting batsmen.

"There is a very good chance to save the Test. The Indian batsmen can take the lead from Virat and Saha and even Ishant who hung on for a while with Virat. Apply yourself and don't do anything silly.

"Nothing much is happening on the pitch except for odd balls climbing up. I think they will get four-and-a-half or five sessions to bat on and if they bat sensibly they can save the Test," Gavaskar said.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar: Say goodbye to some senior players

With India`s Test tour of Australia heading towards a disaster, former captain Sunil Gavaskar called for axing some of the senior players in the side and bring in young blood to take the team forward.

"What India now need to do very, very quickly is to look forward and not backward. If it unfortunately means that we have to say goodbye to some of the players who have served the country for so long and so wonderfully, that we have to do," Gavaskar said when asked where Indian cricket was going after the team was bundled out for 161 in the third Test against Australia in Perth.

"Because, if the team is going to get out for 160-odd it`s better to do with young players so that they can learn from experience and serve the country better in future rather than with those who have been there, seen it and done that but who are not being able to do it now," he said.

Gavaskar, however, made it clear that he was not suggesting axing of all the senior players nor was he calling for Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s removal from captaincy.

"I am not saying that the whole team should be disbanded and not suggesting all the senior players should go. Lots of people are suggesting to drop Dhoni from captaincy, I am not saying that. I am saying that we have to bring in new players who have not been affected by the happenings since England tour," said Gavaskar,

"I think the selectors are capable of taking hard decisions and if hard decisions are to be taken for the Indian team they have to take it," he told reporters.

The former captain also expressed disappointment that the Indian bowlers were outperformed by their relatively inexperienced Australian counterparts.