We responded really well: MS Dhoni
First Published : 30 Sep 2012, 23:47
Last Modified : 01 Oct 2012, 13:21
Colombo, Sep 30: India captain MS Dhoni was a happy camper, after his team pulled off a superb win against Pakistan to keep their chances for qualifying for the semi-finals alive. Playing against their arch rivals, the Men-in-Blue held their nerves as they took the field in a must-win encounter in the 2012 ICC World Twenty. India will now take on South Africa in their last Super Eights match.
Speaking about the match, Dhoni talked about the team’s outstanding performance during his post-match interview.
Excerpts:
On India keeping their cool in a crunch game
I think the team responded really well. There was something about the team as we came over here. Most of the players looked quite relaxed, which meant there was something in store. After the first couple of overs we got ourselves back in the game. After that Irfan [Pathan] bowled well, Zak [Zaheer Khan] bowled well; it was well followed by the part-timers, which I think was crucial once we are playing with seven batsmen. [L] Balaji and all the other bowlers contributed. I am very happy with the performance.
On Virat Kohli
He has been really consistent in the last one-one-and-half year whatever the format may be. It is good that he is taking up responsibility. It is important that someone who is in form looks to score runs in each and every game, so that other players rotate around him and the job becomes a bit easy. Today I think Viru Paa [virender Sehwag] also batted really well. We lost Gautam Gambhir initially, which I felt was quite a big blow, because he plays spinners really well. If he would have stayed for another five overs, he is someone who will accumulate runs quickly once the spinners are bowling.
On whether the must-win situation made them more desperate and focused
Well, not desperate. I feel that if you are desperate, then you put a bit more pressure on yourself and there is no point in carrying that extra baggage. So, it was important that we be in the present and not think too much ahead, and that is what we did. We had a nice warm-up session. The dressing room atmosphere was quite calm. We got the right kind of response that was needed.
On the response from the crowd
There was good support for both the sides. In the very first over Sehwag told me that it is nice to play in front of a full house; it feels like we are playing a big game again. So as I said, yes it does make a difference. Thanks to the spectators for coming out and supporting both the teams. It feels good if there is a full house watching the game.
