Cape Town - Former Proteas batsman Ashwell Prince has lamented the team's loss against India in their ICC Champions Trophy encounter at The Oval on Sunday.
The Proteas looked out of sorts as they collapsed in their turn at bat, mainly due to poor run-outs and soft dismissals.
READ: Look away Proteas fans: Cricket's most comical run out ever?
The Group B encounter was effectively a quarter-final with the winning team advancing to the semi-finals while the losing team was sent home.
After a tentative start from openers Quinton de Kock (53) and Hashim Amla (35), the Proteas looked as if they would go on to post a competitive total, but silly mistakes cost them the game as they were bundled out for 191 in 44.3 overs.
India's Shikhar Dhawan (78) and skipper Virat Kohli (76*) then saw their side to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.
Prince, who is a former convenor of selectors for the national team, lashed out at the No 1-ranked ODI team saying that the players' needed to change their attitude towards the game and their country.
"We go to tournament with 4 of top 10 batsmen and top 2 bowlers in the world. We have the players, perhaps all that has to change is attitude," wrote Prince on Twitter.
"Perhaps it's time that @OfficialCSA dictates to players when they may have the honour of representing this country instead of other way round."
The Proteas remain in the United Kingdom and will look to bounce back in their upcoming T20 series against England starting later this month.
We go to tournament with 4 of top 10 batsmen and top 2 bowlers in the world.We have the players,perhaps all that has to change,is attitude.??
— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) June 11, 2017
Perhaps it's time that @OfficialCSA dictates to players when they may have the honor of representing this country instead of other way round
— Ashwell Prince (@ashyp_5) June 11, 2017