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Mixed start cost us: Dhoni

Nagpur: Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni believed the side’s mixed start while batting and bowling cost it the second ODI at Nagpur. “We did not get a good start. We got some partnerships going but also lost wickets regularly”.

“We capitalised on the Power Play to get to a total, which I thought was par for the course. But in these conditions you need to get early wickets which we did not get. If we had got wickets with the new ball, things would have been different.”

Dhoni admitted the side’s fielding was below par, but said they had to accept they weren’t a great fielding side.

“This team is the best in batting and we have the best bowlers, but we are not the best fielding side in the world. Because of that, we need to score 20 more runs to make up for the fielding lapses, or bowl better. We have to accept we aren’t the best fielders.”

The skipper said that the efforts of fielding consultant Mike Young would take time to show on the field.

“You have to see the individuals and then decide how much you can improve. It’s not like all of a sudden there comes a coach and you become Jonty Rhodes.

“It’s like a bowler. A spinner can’t bowl fast bowling. The same way fielding is something that comes naturally. Somebody is either a good fielder or he’s not.”

India’s young middle-order batsmen Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli came in for praise from the captain, after both scored crucial half-centuries to take India a 300 plus score.

“Virat batted very well. When he came in there was a lot of pressure. The spinners were bowling well and the fast bowlers were using the bouncers. We also like to see more of his fielding, both inside and outside the circle. Raina has been a regular feature of the Indian team for the last year or so. He is a batsman who, after he is well set, goes for the big shots, sixes and fours. That’s how he bats and he has done well.”

Sri Lanka’s batting hero Tillakaratne Dilshan said Angelo Mathews had played a crucial role in the end.

“We had to take our chances and Angelo Mathews (37 not out) made sure we did not go down,” he said. Mathews, who pulled his thigh muscle during his innings, batted with a runner. — Sports Reporter

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