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Dhoni hails bowlers after India square series |
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KANPUR, India, April 13 -
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni credited his side's
disciplined bowling on a turning pitch after they
defeated South Africa by eight wickets in the third and
final test on Sunday to square the series.
India skittled the tourists for 121 in their second
innings, their third lowest total against India, before
coasting to the small victory target of 62 on the third
evening.
"Most of the times we got wickets just after bowling
changes, but the appreciation and credit should go to
the bowlers," he told reporters. "There was assistance,
but they bowled really well, especially the fast
bowlers.
"In the second innings, everybody knew what lengths to
bowl."
Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh and part-time slow
bowler Virender Sehwag grabbed seven scalps in the South
African second innings as the last eight wickets fell
for 56 runs.
Harbhajan took seven wickets in the match while young
pacemen Ishant Sharma bowled impressively to claim five.
"The way Harbhajan and Viru bowled, it was just a matter
of time," he said. "There were no easy singles on offer,
so we put a lot of pressure on them."
Dhoni rejected criticism that the pitch was prepared
only because India slumped to an innings defeat on a
green surface in the second test.
"If we go to Australia we get bouncy tracks, in England
it swings, in New Zealand it seams," he said. "When you
come to India you expect turning and bouncing tracks.
That's what this one was.
"It's better to stick to the specialities of certain
places."
He said India's positive batting in the first innings,
led by Saurav Ganguly (87) and Vangipurappu Laxman (50),
proved vital.
"It was very crucial the way Saurav batted on this track
and the 60-odd run lead was very crucial, because it
changed the whole mindset of the team batting next."
He also praised the team for overcoming the absence of
Kumble and premier batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is also
injured.
"It's pretty hard to replace a man like Kumble,
especially on such a wicket," he said. "Had he been
playing, I don't think this would have lasted three
days." |
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