Dravid blames batsmen for poor show

A dejected Rahul Dravid [Images] blamed poor batting for his team's ordinary show in the ongoing IPL but chose to keep mum on team owner Vijay Mallya's [Images] criticism of their team selection decisions.
"That is true that we have not been able to click. It is disappointing. Batting has been an area of concern," Dravid said at the post match media-meet.
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"I do not want to speak publicly on the (Mallya's) comments. Selection and performance are two different things and people have to perform so that the team gets on to the winning track. I will speak at an appropriate forum," he said when scribes asked him about Mallya's criticism.
"Please do not ask such questions. I do not want to comment on those things," he added.
Dravid said all their efforts to get a winning combination have proved futile so far.
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"Everybody expects players to perform but sometimes it does not happen. We tried so many combinations and we are yet to figure out a winning combination," he said.
Mallya had said that Dravid and axed CEO Charu Sharma did not let him get players he wanted.
Dravid praised Australian Shaun Marsh, who played a splendid knock of 74 in Kings XI Punjab's victory on Monday night.
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"Shaun is playing well... that makes a difference and sets the tone for the game. He is an exceptional talent."
Marsh too is relishing his good run in the tournament.
"IPL is good so far. Very luck to be here and fantastic to be part of IPL. I am playing with greatest players and before packed houses. It is a fantastic experience.
"I have never opened batting before, this is something new to me but I am enjoying every moment of it," he said after getting his man of the match award.
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The winning captain Yuvraj Singh [Images] also praised Marsh but did not comment on Challengers' poor run.
"I do not want to comment where they are lacking. My job is to take care of my team. I have to focus on how my team does well in the competition.
"He (Marsh) is a very good talent. It will give him confidence and we are happy for him. Very satisfying when he is doing well," he said.
When asked why he has not promoted himself up in the batting order, he replied, "IPL is not about me and hitting six sixes. It is about my team. I am more happy if the team is doing well. Even If I am getting zeros and my team is doing well, I will be happier."