Timing was perfect: Dhoni
First Published : 12 Feb 2012, 17:50
Last Modified : 12 Feb 2012, 17:50
Adelaide, Feb 12: Skipper MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 44 took India home after Gautam Gambhir laid the foundation with a 92-run knock in the fourth ODI of the CB series. Dhoni ensured India earned their first victory of the series against Australia thanks to some sensational batting at the end of the chase.
Excerpts from his post-match media interaction:
On his 112-meter long six that brought India close to victory
Once when I had not played for India, maybe I had hit a six that was bigger than this. But [this time] the timing was perfect. I don’t think we needed this six much more anywhere else; [not] even the World Cup six that finished off the game. That game we could have won with singles too.
On whether he left the hitting till too late
Not really, I wanted to take the game till the end; that’s what I told Suresh [Raina]. I told [him], ‘Right now the bowlers are executing well, the heart rate is up for us, there are more chances that they will execute well and we will play a wrong shot [or] pick up the wrong deliveries. Let’s take the heart rate down, let the [the run-rate] get over nine-run-an over then we will see what needs to be done.’ […]
On the run chase
There were quite a few shots that we shouldn’t have played. A lot is said once you play a big shot. If you execute it well, it’s often called a brave shot, but if it doesn’t pay off, people call it a stupid shot. So you have to often analyse whether you should be playing that shot or not, especially between the 11th and the 30th overs, because that’s the period when you look to [build on] the start. There were quite a few shots that we shouldn’t have played in this game so we need to address [that].
On having won against both sides in the series
It’s important to win games. To start off, you don’t want to lag behind too much in the tournament [and have] both the sides winning quite a few games. It’s always good to be in the top two so by the end of the league stage you know have qualified for the finals. It’s important right now to take it one game at a time and not think about the finals. It’s all about the route to the finals; [we need to] concentrate on one game at a time and not commit too many mistakes.
On the next match against Sri Lanka at the same venue
I think the same strip will be used which means it will get a bit slower. Both the teams have got good spinners in the side which means it won’t be very easy to score runs.
On Yuvraj Singh
He will get well soon. His is someone who loves challenges; I think this is another challenge in his life and I believe he will come out strong.
