One off day shattered our Cup dreams, says Ganguly

Mumbai, March 25 AFP - India skipper Sourav Ganguly says his decision to field first wasn't the reason for his team's defeat in the World Cup final against Australia.

Rather, his players had an "off day" in the big match.

"There was dampness in the pitch and I knew there was something in it for seam bowlers," Ganguly said, defending his decision after a batch of Indian players arrived here to a warm welcome.

Ganguly's decision to field first after winning the toss in Sunday's final at Johannesburg boomeranged as Australia virtually batted India out of the game by posting a massive 359/2.

Australia then dismissed India for 234 to win the one-sided final by 125 runs and claim the World Cup for a record third time.

"We had one off day which shattered our dreams of winning the World Cup," said the Indian skipper.

Ganguly praised his fast bowlers, especially veteran Javagal Srinath who came out of retirement to finish with 16 wickets in 11 matches.

"I wanted him to play in the World Cup since I knew he could contribute with his experience. He did not let me down," Ganguly said, adding it was now up to the fast bowler to decide whether he wanted to continue or retire.

"It should be his decision. It's his career and let him decide about it," he said.

Left-arm seamers Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra also struck it rich in the tournament, sharing 33 wickets. But none could deliver in the final as the trio went wicketless, conceding 211 runs in 27 overs.

Ganguly also denied that his team had missed a fifth specialist bowler in the final.

"I don't think we missed the fifth bowler," said Ganguly whose team had gone into every game with just four regular bowlers - three pacemen and one spinner (Harbhajan Singh).

"Dinesh Mongia, used as the fifth bowler, was the most economical in the final. In fact throughout the tournament, our part-time bowlers kept the run-rate in check," said Ganguly.

Indian cricket board chief Jagmohan Dalmiya meanwhile praised the side's performances, saying the team had done the country proud by reaching the final.

"The team played like a unit and won most of their matches convincingly," said Dalmiya.

India won nine of their 11 matches in the World Cup, with both of their defeats coming against Ricky Ponting's all-conquering Australians.

"Unfortunately, they had a bad day against Australia in the final, but I'd like to give full credit to Ganguly for handling the team well and to the players for showing fighting spirit till the end," said Dalmiya.

He also said the sponsorship row involving Indian cricketers had yet to be resolved, but the players had been asked to concentrate on the game.

"The controversy has not been resolved as yet, but the players will not be involved in the issue in future," said Dalmiya.

The ICC on Saturday threatened India with suspension from world cricket in the wake of their players' World Cup contracts row.

ICC president Malcolm Gray said the world governing body was standing by its earlier decision to withhold World Cup payments worth $US9 million dollars to India after its cricketers refused to accept the original players terms for the tournament.