Colombo: After a humiliating nine-wicket loss to Australia in the Super Eight League match of ICC T20 World Cup at R Premdasa Stadium on Friday, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that India would have to analyse what really happened. However, he defended his bowlers, saying that the drizzle during India’s bowling changed the course of the match.
“We can’t blame our bowlers based on just this one match. With five bowlers we did well against England. Rain came just at the wrong time just after the wicket was rolled. The wet ball is not good for spinners. That was the main reason we lost. If you see, when our batting was over, there was a light rain and the umpires let the game continue and stopped play only when the rain got a bit heavy. After one over it was their option of taking the roller and they took the light roller and then when we went to bowl again, there were rains. And once the ball becomes wet, the ball will not do much. That’s the reason why all our three spinners and part-timers, they couldn’t bowl well,” he pointed out.
However, Dhoni said that India could have batted better. “We got off to a good start, but lost quick wickets. We were not in a good situation to cash in the start. We were 20 runs short. But then we need to give Australians the credit for the way they batted. But the ball was not stopping as it did in the first innings. It's important to look at what mistakes what we have committed, but it is also important to get it out of the system. We will try to do that, but it will still be there, in some corner of our heart,” said Dhoni at the post match presentation ceremony.
Meanwhile Australian captain George Bailey said that it was an impressive performance from his team. "It was impressive performance set up by some good bowling. Patty (Pat Cummins) was outstanding. We were probably behind after six overs but we came back very well,” said Bailey, adding that David warner and Shane Watson were outstanding.
“The absolute beauty of those two openers is that when they are on, there are no better hitters. I don't think rankings matter when you get to the World Cup. As good as this win is, we have to be up and ready for South Africa,” said Bailey.
Man-of-the-match Shane Watson said that he was enjoying his batting in the tournament. “The last couple of games have been pretty good," says Shane Watson. “It's nice when things come together like this. Probably batting is a bit more enjoyable, when it is two of you against 11 of the opposition. That's probably more satisfying, but enjoying being an all-rounder.”
By Indian Sports News Network