Centurion, Jan 24: India lost the five match ODI series 3-2 to South Africa by 33 runs. In the process, they also lost the opportunity to become the first Indian side to ever win an ODI series in South Africa. The visitors never really looked like winning the crucial encounter, but for Yusuf Pathan who cracked an amazing century in a valiant effort that almost changed the script.
In a post-match interaction with the media, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni reflected upon the tour and spoke about the preparations for World Cup 2011.
Excerpts from the interview
On the fifth ODI, Yusuf Pathan’s innings and the possibility of winning if India had a few wickets in hand
I think it’s a disappointing series for the batsmen because I think the bowlers were getting the batsmen out and at the end of day they were the ones who were scoring it along with maybe one batsman. So I think overall we have not really performed as a batting unit and to say okay, we wanted to win the final game just because Yusuf [Pathan] scored a hundred - that would have been a bit too much.
On whether 268 runs in 46 overs was a gettable target on a good Centurion pitch
Yeah, it was a good wicket. I think if we had wickets in hand that was crucial for us, but unfortunately we kept losing wickets. We had to play strokes but unfortunately most of us got out so I think we were in a position where we never really had any wickets in hand.
On Yusuf Pathan’s ability to get to any target
Well [on] most of the cricket outfields in the world, if he gets going any target is small. So the big learning from this game is if we have wickets in hand, whatever the asking rate, maybe in the last 10 overs, with a Powerplay in hand, we as a team can really look to get it. So it’s a big learning before the World Cup so I think that’s the biggest positive out of this game.
On the five-match series between the top two teams being good preparation for the World Cup
Well of course it is. I think the conditions will be very different. But still we got [a chance] to test a few of our batsmen because [most] of our batting side is not here. That definitely gave us some opportunity to play some of our youngsters, so I think it’s a very good preparation. We played against one of the top sides and two more warm-up games before the start of the World Cup should be an ideal preparation.
On the tour and the crowd support
It’s not the first time that we have been to South Africa so whenever we have come here it has been great. The response that we have got from the crowd [has been terrific] whether it was the 2006 tour or the IPL or the Champions Trophy or Champions League [Twenty20]. Throughout spectators have come out to support the teams which is good because I love playing in front of crowds. That’s one thing that I always pray [for]. So definitely, it’s a good place to play cricket and the good thing, you know, I think the tour, the final game, was the decider. That’s what the spectator wants and that’s what the team really wants.
