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T20: Dhoni rues 'irresponsible' batting

Agencies

Posted online: Friday , February 01, 2008 at 1706 hrs IST
      

Melbourne, February 1:: On a day of contrasting fortunes, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni rued a spineless batting display by his team describing it "irresponsible" while his opposite number Michael Clarke revelled in the glory of leading Australia to their maiden Twenty20 win over India.

While Dhoni could not hide his disappointment at India's batting collapse that saw them bowled out for 74 in 17.3 overs, Clarke was marveling at his team's ruthless performance that made captaincy so much easier for him.

Dhoni said the only good thing that his Twenty20 world champion side managed in Friday's match was winning the toss.

"That's the only good thing that we did. There are 11 players in the side and every guy has a responsibility. But unfortunately some of our guys failed in that today," a disappointed Dhoni said after the nine-wicket thrashing handed out to his team by ODI world champions.

The Indian skipper did not want to make Yuvraj Singh's absence an excuse for the loss but admitted that the hard-hitting left-hander was crucial for the side.

"Yuvraj is important for us in Twenty20," he said.

On Sachin Tendulkar being left out for the match, Dhoni clarified that it was the master batsman's own decision to sit out of the game and take rest.

"I asked him whether he wanted to play today and get some practice ahead of the Indian Premier League but he said he wanted to rest so I said 'OK'," Dhoni revealed.

The Indian skipper rejected suggestions that the win has given Aussies a psychological edge ahead of the ODI tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka.

"This is completely different from the ODI series. Sachin will be back for that and so will be Yuvraj. We hope to start it positively next week," he said.

Clarke, who was adjudged man of the match for effecting a brilliant run out besides making unbeaten 37, was ecstatic at having finally managed to upstage India in the shortest format of the game.

"We had a look at all the Indians before the game. Our bowlers studied their batsmen and we executed all our plans well. Our guys did a fantastic job," Clarke said.

"We were up for the game and what a fantastic performance we put on," he gushed.

Retiring wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, for whom the match was a Twenty20 swan song, said he was relieved to be going out after beating India.

"It's nice that we have finally beaten India in twenty20. It's nice to finish my (T20) career with a win," he said.

Gilchrist also lavished praise on Michael Clarke for his stout leadership.

"Clarke's captaincy was fantastic. I think we are getting a glimpse what is there in the future," he said.

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  • Comments
     
Friendship
by PRASHANT THAKUR on 2008-04-21 19:07:02.677969+05:30
Hi Hello Friend I am new friend My name is Prashant Thakur
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love
by vaishu on 2008-03-15 13:45:33.947424+05:30
i love mahi
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Dropping Ponting made Australian team a winner.
by J. H. A. R. Khandi on 2008-02-02 05:22:05.263301+05:30
The credit for this win is entirely Clarke's, i.e., the absence of Ponting from the team. The morale of the Australian team was high after a proven cheat and liar that Ponting is was dropped from the team, and Clarke, although has his limitations, is a much better option for Australia if they want to maintain their top status in the game.
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T20
by Patrick O'Brien on 2008-02-02 04:15:53.61947+05:30
India was beaten by a better ,well prepared and committed TEAM. BCCI money cannot buy that. The Australians used junior international players with the older more experienced to good effect (Gilly is 36).
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Message for the Indian Cricket Team!!
by Sachdev Singh on 2008-02-02 01:53:47.481623+05:30
Let me help you fire up the hunger the your bellies and I mentioned in my earlier mail..Question-One of you may be a good singer but have any of you had an opportunity to sing with the great Asha Bhosle? Answer- No!! But Brett Lee did.Question-Some of you may a talented actors, Sreesanth is a very fine dancer, but have you had a substantial role in a Bollywood flick?Answer- Small roles!! Yes!! Not a role like Brett Lee in a new upcoming film.Question- Are you all confident of having a substantial role to play in the IPL teams?Demand the mega dollars?Answer- There are doubts as regards all of you but the Aussies are confident despite whatever bad mouthing they give you and however much their cricketing crowd screams "boo" at you.Come on!! Come on!! You all are great-you have the fire-visualize the millions looking up at you. You are the ones who decide whether cricket fans in India have a good or bad day. You are their daily inspiration and hope of good fortune. You all are in their dreams and prayers. Millions aspire to be YOU.I hope all the touring cricketers can read this message and be so inspired because we all have very hih hopes in you. Special message for Harbhajan- CHIN UP, DO NOT BE SCARED OF THE 'BOO". CHAK DE PHATTE!! TO ALL OF YOU
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