Dismal batting disappoints Dhoni
India captain let down by ODI series loss against South Africa.
"Compared to the last game, our bowling did a fantastic job especially in the middle orders,” said Dhoni. PHOTO: AFP
The One-Day International (ODI) series loss to South Africa has disappointed India captain MS Dhoni. The hosts were blown away by 134 runs on Sunday after surrendering the opening match of the series by 141 runs in Johannesburg.
Dhoni feels that his top order batsmen have failed to deliver in the first two matches which cost his team the series.
"In the last few series our middle order, to some extent, was a bit of a bother,” he said, according to The Times of India. “In this series we lost the top three quite early and our middle order was exposed. So if you assess, then that's maybe why we haven't been able to perform to our potential.”
The tourists capitulated on a good batting wicket in Durban and Dhoni was surprised that his team failed to take advantage of a flat track.
"The wicket was on the flatter side and there wasn't much for the fast-bowlers in it, so I am disappointed with the batting. The kind of shots we played, well, few of them were on. But the shot execution was not great to some extent, as they went to the fielders.”
However, the India skipper expressed his pleasure regarding the bowlers' performance.
"Compared to the last game, our bowling did a fantastic job especially in the middle orders,” said Dhoni.
“Spinners bowled well and so did the fast bowlers when they came back on, in the latter stages of the South African innings. I am happy with the bowlers' performance because 280 runs on this pitch was a decent score."
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2013.
Dhoni feels that his top order batsmen have failed to deliver in the first two matches which cost his team the series.
"In the last few series our middle order, to some extent, was a bit of a bother,” he said, according to The Times of India. “In this series we lost the top three quite early and our middle order was exposed. So if you assess, then that's maybe why we haven't been able to perform to our potential.”
The tourists capitulated on a good batting wicket in Durban and Dhoni was surprised that his team failed to take advantage of a flat track.
"The wicket was on the flatter side and there wasn't much for the fast-bowlers in it, so I am disappointed with the batting. The kind of shots we played, well, few of them were on. But the shot execution was not great to some extent, as they went to the fielders.”
However, the India skipper expressed his pleasure regarding the bowlers' performance.
"Compared to the last game, our bowling did a fantastic job especially in the middle orders,” said Dhoni.
“Spinners bowled well and so did the fast bowlers when they came back on, in the latter stages of the South African innings. I am happy with the bowlers' performance because 280 runs on this pitch was a decent score."
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2013.