 Mohali: Dismayed at the team's inability to chase down a modest 251-run target, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday night blamed his batsmen for the 24-run defeat against Australia, saying they simply failed to complement the efforts of their bowling colleagues.
Dhoni said restricting Australia to 250 on a wicket that promised a run feast was no mean achievement, but the lack of partnerships when India batted allowed Australia to level the series 2-2.
"I think it was a good effort by the bowlers to stop them to a total like 250. We got a decent start to our chase also, but subsequently, we failed as a batting unit," Dhoni said after the match.
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"We should have batted the full 50 overs but that was not possible because we kept losing wickets at regular intervals," he rued.
Chasing 251, India were skittled out for 226 in the 47th over.
Asked if Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal - a howler by umpire Asoka de Silva - was the turning point of the match, Dhoni said, "There was no single turning point. We had a number of turning points in fact.
"We badly needed some partnerships going. We got the start, but we could not take advantage of that. If at least one batsman got going, it would have made things easy," he added.
Dhoni conceded youngsters like Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli are yet to learn how to script a difficult chase but he did not blame them for that.
"I think Raina today got out to a beautiful delivery, while Jadeja was run out after a mix-up. The thing is batting at number 6-7 is not easy since you don't get much opportunity to bat. You cannot pace your innings either, for you have to play according to the platform given to you. Sometimes, you have to accelerate or keep a partnership going.
"They are still inexperienced and I hope they learn from their mistakes," he said.
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Dhoni said,"The best way to give someone an opportunity is to let him bat higher. At number 6-7, you score 20-30 in quick time or can get out for 10-12 also. I think it's important to give them a chance."
The Indian skipper also defended Ishant Sharma even though he admitted the pacer was not at his best.
"Look, it was a good, nice wicket to bat on. They got a good start, targetted him and succeeded. If batsman goes after a bowler, it gives you more chance to pick up a wicket.
"He is currently not at his best but I hope he would bounce back soon," Dhoni said.
The Indian captain said Gautam Ghambhir, who skipped Monday's match after being hit on the neck in the last game, is likely to play the next game of the series.
"He's most likely to be fit for the next game," Dhoni said.
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