Ashwin says 'players to blame' for India's ODI series loss in South Africa

The Indian team's poor record away from home in Test cricket is the fault of the players and not the coach, spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin said recently.

According to Sport24, Ashwin pointed out that as players they had to accept the failure and admit that they failed as a group.

He added that the team has to accept it rather than saying that the coach has not had a great record.

Fletcher took over the reigns from Gary Kirsten in 2011 and, at the start of his tenure, the team suffered series whitewashes, to England and Australia, in the 2011/2012 season, the report said.

Ashwin said the support staff facilitated behind the scenes on tour but were limited in what they could do for the players on the field, the report added.

Ashwin said the coach had never been shy of telling players when he felt they were under-performing, and would also suggest a batsman or bowler change their approach where necessary, the report mentioned.