Getting into final a very difficult task, but happy to know that there is a chance: Dhoni

His team having failed to put up any resistance in the ongoing Tri-series in Australia, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has given up any hope of making it to the final of the Commonwealth Bank Series. Even after being informed by the scribes about India’s slim chance of making it to the final if India beat Mahela Jayawardene’s boys with a bonus point and again later Australia win their match against the Lankan Tigers, Dhoni said it was difficult for them now.

“I'm quite happy to hear that. It gives us another chance. “But then added: “That would be saying I'm very optimistic, seeing that we have not consistently done well with the bat, which means whatever the opposition scores we will have to score in 40 overs, which will be a very difficult task. But I'm happy at least there is a chance,” said Dhoni, according to a report in Hindustan Times.

Thanks to three crushing losses and two last-over wins over the last fortnight, the most alluring aura acquired with the World Cup win has now faded into a distant memory, writes the Indian Express. “It’s been disappointing,” Dhoni admitted, even more so than the ODI defeats in England. “There (England) we had quite a few injury worries, but here in Australia we had all our regular players to choose from a healthy dressing room.”

Meanwhile the controversy over the appeal against David Hussey for 'obstructing the field' refused to die down with former captains Ian Chappell and Tony Greig supporting India's contention that the Australian batsman should have been given out, writes Indian Express.

At the post match press conference, Dhoni maintained that the umpires erred in not declaring the Australian batsman out after the Indians appealed. "I think David was really lucky not being given out. He (David) thought he was protecting his face but his hand was too far ahead. I don't know why he was not given out. We were at receiving end of both umpires," said Dhoni.

But taking a dig at the struggling Indian team, Australian opener David Warner said that their disappointment at the two controversial umpiring decisions during last night's ODI match was a sign of "desperation". Warner said it showed the Indians were desperate.
"We can see the desperation from the Indians this summer they're trying to get something out of it," Warner was quoted as saying by 'The Australian Associated Press'. "They got beaten 4-0 in the Test series and now they're not doing too well in the one-dayers so they're trying to appeal for anything at the moment."