Dhoni: I got out at the wrong time
Captain MS Dhoni says India's batting failed to click against West Indies and he himself got out at an inopportune time.
After Dhoni decided to bat first, India slumped to 29/3 and just when Yuvraj Singh (67) and Dhoni seemed to have stemmed the rot, the Indian captain too perished.
"It's disappointed to be in the losing side. We didn't get a good start and though me and Yuvraj tried to turn it around, I got out at the wrong moment," rued Dhoni, after the seven-wicket defeat against West Indies.
"Had I stayed for a few more overs, we could have gone for the slog. The batting didn't work today even though Yuvraj's was a brilliant innings."
"We have big-hitters in the side and we expected them to hit big. But this is one of those games, which did not really work for us. Hopefully we'll do well in the coming two games," Dhoni said.
Bowling a consolation
He was rather happy with the bowlers for trying their best to defend a modest total of 153.
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"The bowlers did well. I think 150 on this track was not sufficient but they bowled their heart out," Dhoni added.
Looking ahead to India's next game against England, Dhoni hoped the batting collapse would not come to haunt him again.
Hosts next
"It's going to be an exciting game. They have a good side but I think they will be under pressure because it's home ground for them. Hopefully we would not collapse against and put a big score on the board," Dhoni said.
His West Indian counterpart Chris Gayle was beaming after the triumph as he lavished praise on his teammates, especially Dwayne Bravo who had a memorable match both with the bat and the ball.
Gayle all ga-ga
"I am very pleased about how we performed. We took lots of catches. Two games remain but credit to the guys," Gayle said.
"I think 153 was quite gettable and we started well with the ball. Yuvraj played a good innings to pull it back for India but superb innings from Bravo. I must really commend him," Gayle added.
Fitting venue for the feat
Bravo was the undisputed choice for the man-of-the-match award for his four-wicket haul and the subsequent 36-ball 66 and the all-rounder said he could not have done it at a better place.
"It's a great feeling to do it at Lord's," he said.
"We restricted them and then I got an opportunity to bat up the order," he added.
With crucial players like Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, Daniel Vettori and Kevin Pietersen nursing injuries, is the slam-bang version of cricket starting to take its toll on the players? You know where to write in with your thoughts. Write in to us at: fanspeak@espnstar.co.in
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