Dhoni - 'The boys are not shattered'
Mahendra Dhoni speaks to the press after India's crushing loss to Pakistan in the third one-dayer at Jamshedpur
Dileep Premachandran in Jamshedpur
09-Apr-2005
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Despite being at the receiving end of a comprehensive 106-run drubbing, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was in fairly cheerful mood when he addressed the media afterwards. Dhoni blasted 28 from 24 balls in front of an expectant home crowd, but his efforts, like the team's, were far too little to thwart a determined and committed Pakistan side. With Sourav Ganguly having to explain an abysmally slow over-rate to the match referee, it was Dhoni that had to fend off questions about a desperately disappointing Indian display.
On whether the poor form of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar put pressure on the middle order?
Not a question of pressure. Sehwag had been making runs at the top of the order, and there was not much time for the middle-order batsmen to do anything. This was the first chance for them.
Not a question of pressure. Sehwag had been making runs at the top of the order, and there was not much time for the middle-order batsmen to do anything. This was the first chance for them.
On when he thought the match was lost
Rana bowled very well, and by the end of 15 overs we had lost four wickets. It was difficult after that.
Rana bowled very well, and by the end of 15 overs we had lost four wickets. It was difficult after that.
On whether he felt added pressure playing in front of his home crowd
I felt pressure as long as I was away from the field. But once you're in the middle, it doesn't matter where you are.
I felt pressure as long as I was away from the field. But once you're in the middle, it doesn't matter where you are.
On whether he was disappointed by the shot he got out to
Yes, I was. I could have left it alone. I was well set.
Yes, I was. I could have left it alone. I was well set.
On why he came for the press conference instead of Sourav Ganguly
Sourav's busy with the match referee...
Sourav's busy with the match referee...
On whether he expected to do more in front of the home crowd
Look, international cricket isn't that simple. It's tough competition and their fast bowlers bowled really well.
Look, international cricket isn't that simple. It's tough competition and their fast bowlers bowled really well.
On the mood in the dressing room
The boys are not shattered. We have won two of the matches so far. They just played very well today and congratulations to them.
The boys are not shattered. We have won two of the matches so far. They just played very well today and congratulations to them.
On whether a strategy will be adopted to combat Rana
We will certainly look at it during the next team meeting. It also depends a lot on the pitches that we get in the coming games.
We will certainly look at it during the next team meeting. It also depends a lot on the pitches that we get in the coming games.
On whether he believed that winning the toss was equivalent to winning the toss
Well, on flat wickets, if you score 300 or 350, you can put pressure on the other team. But just winning the toss doesn't win you games.
Well, on flat wickets, if you score 300 or 350, you can put pressure on the other team. But just winning the toss doesn't win you games.
On whether poor batting also contribute to India's loss, since the tail-enders batted without a trace of discomfort
Rana was generating some bounce from the pitch, and that's what got most of the batsmen out. The runs were made mainly against the spinners and Rana was out of the attack by then.
Rana was generating some bounce from the pitch, and that's what got most of the batsmen out. The runs were made mainly against the spinners and Rana was out of the attack by then.
On whether having just a 15-minute break between innings made it hard
It was tough for the openers to bat again immediately because you need a 40-minute break after three and a half hours in the field.
It was tough for the openers to bat again immediately because you need a 40-minute break after three and a half hours in the field.
On whether he had called up his parents and asked for their blessings before the game
I got their blessing, and still I got out (smiles).
I got their blessing, and still I got out (smiles).