Tim Paine denies Justin Langer's 'We took India lightly' claim, ignores Starc criticism

From taking over Australian Test team at one of ir weakest moments to leing m back to top of ICC's Test rankings, Tim Paine is stranger to pressure and criticism.  Australian skipper has copped a lot of flak after India vs Australia 4th Test 2021 - for general failure of team and for his lacklustre performance as well. However, 35-year-old remains defiant in face of this judgement, from social media as well as local and international press. One day after Australia's defeat at Gabba, Tim Paine talked about where he thought Aussies lost series. 

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Gracious in his team's loss, Australian skipper Tim Paine conceded that ir historic loss at Gabba was a result - in part - of Australia's inability to seize ir chances and in part, of India having simply outplayed hosts in last three Tests. Talking to cricket.com.au, Paine said, "It happened throughout, even if you went right back to elaide, wher it was with bat, ball or in field, every time we h a chance to go ahe of game we let it slip". Pointing out that while Australians failed to capitalize on ir chances, "I thought every time India needed to do that, or needed a wicket, someone mand to do it for m".

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Talking about last two Tests, in Sydney and Brisbane, Paine mitted that he h told Australian coach, Justin Langer, as well, that India simply "won key moments". "I felt like we turned up to Sydney and Gabba on day five in as good a position as you'd want to be in, and we couldn't get job done" he mitted. He also denied Justin Langer's inference that y h taken India lightly, saying "I don't think we took m lightly or thought we were going to roll m over".

Paine also mitted that India's superior performance could be attributed to ir solid response to Australia's premier spinner, Nathan Lyon, while ding that "re might be a few little things going on" with pacer Mitchell Starc who only mand 11 wickets from four Tests. 

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Paine t looking at retirement just yet

As most big losses tend to do in cricket-crazy countries, Australia's loss has sparked off debates about Paine's place as he of team. However, Paine remains unfazed. 36-year-old said that he is t thinking about retirement "at moment" and is in fact "still looking forward to going to South Africa" where Aussies will go for first time since infamous 'Sandpapergate' incident. Paine also mitted that he knew perils of job when he took it up in 2018 and accepts it as a part of job. 

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Im Credits: Cricket.com.au Twitter