India’s players should take the blame for their 4-0 series loss to Australia because they simply weren’t having a go, ex-Australian captain Ian Chappell says.

Chappell, a long-time critic of the importance placed on the role of head coach, says India’s under-siege mentor Duncan Fletcher should shoulder little of the blame because a coach’s influence is minimal.

India’s batting lineup — including their “big three” Rahul Dravid (24.25), Sachin Tendulkar (35.87) and VVS Laxman (19.37) — all averaged under 40.

David, 39, felt compelled to issue a statement via a team spokesman to dismiss rumours of his retirement after the fourth Test ended on Saturday in Adelaide.

Tendulkar came to Australia seeking to become the first player to score 100 international centuries, but the milestone has still eluded the 38-year-old.

Chappell says the obsession surrounding the record has not helped India’s momentum.

“The star system is well and truly ingrained in the Indian team and things won’t improve, certainly not on the overseas Test match front, until this is changed,” Chappell said on Sunday in the Hindustan Times.

“The problem is that the star system is part of India’s general culture and it’s going to be difficult to change the approach in the cricket team.

“The average Indian fan is satisfied if Tendulkar scores a hundred but the team loses.

“India … needs to become a group of cricketers who perform as a team. It doesn’t help when a number of those individually bright stars are playing for their own survival.

“Recent successes in all forms of the game has led to sloppy habits instead of a work and thought ethic that will bring prolonged success.

“Australia has played hard, competitive and smart cricket while India has just capitulated.”

Chappell said MS Dhoni’s captaincy in Australia had failed to address the need to rally the troops.

Zimbabwean Fletcher, who helped guide England to victory in the 2005 Ashes series, has continued a shocking record in Australia.

His win-loss record in Australia is 1-13 from 14 matches, including England’s 2002/03 and 2006/07 Ashes tours.

Under Fletcher, India have slumped from first to third on the ICC rankings following 4-0 losses away to England and Australia, who are less than one point behind India.

Chappell said if any team needed a comprehensive shake-up, similar to Australia’s experience in the past 12 months with the Argus Review, it’s India.

AAP gab/gc/aj