India need attack Cook, Pietersen: Raja

Raja felt India were seemingly under desperation to avenge their 0-4 defeat.

"They seemed to be in a hurry in preparing a rank turner in Mumbai. They could have taken it easy after their fine win in Ahmedabad," the former cricketer-turned-commentator said ahead of the third Test, starting tomorrow in Kolkata.

"Only two English batsmen -- Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen -- are in form. Indian bowlers should attack them," Raja said addressing media on STAR Cricket's Hindi presentation panel today.

Former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is also part of the panel, said India should bring in leg-spinner Amit Mishra to exploit English batsmen's weakness.

"India's fortess is shaken. We have to see who takes the cake. India are currently on a descend. We are not here for hospitality. It has to be patta or turning wicket. You should always capitalise on your strengths," he said.

Summing up India's plight after England's resounding 10-wicket win on a turning Wankhede wicket, Sidhu said, "It has never happened in the past 30 years. I don't remember any team coming here and dominating our spinners.

The current India-England Test series is being telecast on STAR Cricket in Hindi with Sidhu, Raja, Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly and Arun Lal were being roped in as experts.