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T20: Dhoni rues 'irresponsible' batting

Agencies

Posted: 2008-02-01 16:49:17+05:30 IST
Updated: Feb 01, 2008 at 1706 hrs IST

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...

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