Dravid, who captained the third Test, criticised the Nagpur pitch

India slumped to a heavy defeat in the third Test as Australia sealed their first series win in India since 1969.

India have played 28 one-day matches in 2004, including series in Australia, Pakistan and Europe, but have turned out for just six Tests.

Gavaskar said: "The Indians are still in one-day mode, they've not been able to get out of it."

The former opening batsman also criticised the scheduling of the first Test for Banglalore instead of Madras.

He continued: "The India cricket board played into the Aussies' hands by giving them one of their favourite venues, Bangalore, for the first Test as Australia have won there before."

Parthiv dropped from squad

He was also surprised the Nagpur pitch was a green top, which played into the hands of Australia's fast bowlers.

Former all-rounder Kirti Azad said India had continued picking out-of-form players for too long.

A national selector until last month, he said wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel had been a liability.

It's a fact that subcontinent teams are playing one-dayers more then they actually should - the sooner this problem gets addressed the better From Howard Have your say on TMS

"Unfortunately, we did not make changes when required," said Azad.

"Patel seems to be scared of going for difficult catches, fearing that he will be seen as having dropped a catch.

"He would rather not move and play safe."

Patel was one of four regulars dropped from the squad for the fourth Test, which starts on Wednesday in Mumbai (Bombay).