We will not surrender: Dhoni
First Published : 22 Aug 2011, 05:18
Last Modified : 22 Aug 2011, 05:18
London, Aug 22: After a glimmer of hope on Day 5 provided by the Sachin Tendulkar-Amit Mishra partnership, India lost the final match of the four-Test series, leaving them at the receiving end of an ignominious 0-4 series whitewash.
In the post-match media interaction, Indian captain MS Dhoni reflected upon the difficult series and India’s plans for the future.
Excerpts from the conversation:
On the Indian team showing some spirit during the last two days of the final Test and whether it was a bit disappointing to have not seen it earlier
We tried our best and that’s what is important. As I said in the last presentation, we have been trying our best. At times you can be outplayed at the top level and more often than not that was the case throughout the Test series.
On whether the score-line reflects the England team’s strengths than the Indian team’s failings
I think it’s also about pushing the opposition to commit mistakes and that’s what cricket is all about. They batted really well, they always put par plus runs on the scoreboard and when it comes to us, I don’t think we were able to put over 300 runs in a single innings in all the four Test matches so that itself speaks for itself. But as I said, we tried.
On whether there was any sense of complacency in the Indian team
Not really. We didn’t get much time before the series; most of the bowlers and the few batters came from West Indies so I don’t think there was even time to think about being complacent or any other thing. We tried to use the resources in the best manner possible and it’s sad to be on the losing side.
On the way forward and the tendency to push the panic button in such a situation
That has been the case. It is important to stay together as a team, stay together as a unit because as I always say, the expectation levels are quite high back home in India. It’s always about the team sticking together and individuals rising to the occasion. There will be a few hushes going around cricket but what’s important is to stick to good cricket.
On whether he was confident of India’s resurgence in Test cricket and Duncan Fletcher’s role in the return
Well, of course and that’s the way ahead. We are not really willing to surrender and hopefully in the coming years [we] will be good.
On whether he was confident that Team India will be more competitive in the ODI series
Being the world champions, again the expectation levels will be high and not to forget we have been doing well and it’s a five-match series. [There are] quite a few practice games before the start of the series so we will try to give it our best shot.
