Dhoni surprised at Malik�s decision to bat first
Last updated : Friday, 16 November , 2007, 04:29 Gwalior: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday expressed surprise at his Pakistani counterpart Shoaib Malik’s decision to bat first in the fourth ODI which the hosts won to clinch the five-match series here.
“I was surprised to see Shoaib batting first. I had seen the wicket yesterday and we would have definitely fielded first,” Dhoni told reporters after winning his first ODI series as the captain.
Dhoni, who guided India to their first ODI series win against Pakistan on home soil after 24 years, attributed it to team effort but admitted there were still areas of concern and room for improvement in the side.
“It was a team effort. We lost only one match. If bowlers could not do well today batsmen took up the responsibility. That’s what we are required to do… But we need to look into certain areas. We can still improve in fielding and death bowling,” he said.
“Pakistan is consistently doing well in the death bowling, while we have bowled well only in patches,” he added.
Man-to-man, India is the superior side. I think lack of captaincy experience, Shoaib Malik is not producing results. Your say?
Dhoni surprised at Malik�s decision to bat first
Last updated : Friday, 16 November , 2007, 04:29
Gwalior: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday expressed surprise at his Pakistani counterpart Shoaib Malik's decision to bat first in the fourth ODI which the hosts won to clinch the five-match series here.
"I was surprised to see Shoaib batting first. I had seen the wicket yesterday and we would have definitely fielded first," Dhoni told reporters after winning his first ODI series as the captain.
Dhoni, who guided India to their first ODI series win against Pakistan on home soil after 24 years, attributed it to team effort but admitted there were still areas of concern and room for improvement in the side.
"It was a team effort. We lost only one match. If bowlers could not do well today batsmen took up the responsibility. That's what we are required to do... But we need to look into certain areas. We can still improve in fielding and death bowling," he said.
"Pakistan is consistently doing well in the death bowling, while we have bowled well only in patches," he added.
Man-to-man, India is the superior side. I think lack of captaincy experience, Shoaib Malik is not producing results. Your say?
To a degree definately lack of experience but not utterly because Dhoni was not born with captaincy experience he is also a new captain.
What lacked the most in my opinion was a team commitment, worry to win and intensity. It was sad to see Shoaib and Afridi shaking their heads after been hit for fours and sixes as if they were not men. Indian's were same humans with two arms and two legs.
Dont blame it all on Shoaib he isnt the scapegoat. Yousaf or Khan's knock is of no use if it wasnt at good average. Runrate was bad and saving wickets rather than scoring runs was a pointless tactic. Or should I call it a tactic instead of calling it a pathetic gameplay.
Frankly speaking, the Indian side if they don't vastly improve their bowling attach will not win any tough contests. With the amazing batting line up (imagine this: Tendulkar, Gambhir, Sehwag, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Uthappa...not to mention occasional Ganguly, Pathan & Harbhajan). If only they can get a world class bowling attack! Only Sreesanth seems to have that potential (maaay be Pathan)
The current Pakistan team actually has, IMO fewer issues in becoming a world champ - they need across the board some experience and confirdence; they have the talent already.
Frankly speaking, the Indian side if they don't vastly improve their bowling attach will not win any tough contests. With the amazing batting line up (imagine this: Tendulkar, Gambhir, Sehwag, Dhoni, Yuvraj, Uthappa...not to mention occasional Ganguly, Pathan & Harbhajan). If only they can get a world class bowling attack! Only Sreesanth seems to have that potential (maaay be Pathan)
The current Pakistan team actually has, IMO fewer issues in becoming a world champ - they need across the board some experience and confirdence; they have the talent already.
yaar, while your bowling needs talent, our batting demands some depth really bad.....we have nothing but both Ys and it is really scary....inzi is no more there and it would be a huge gap to fill....we saw this in SA series....