Dhoni calls India’s batting a disappointment

Dhoni said, "It was clear lack of application by us when chasing the target."

M.S. Dhoni did not subscribe to the view that the next game against Pakistan in Kolkata will be a do-or-die battle.

Indian captain M.S. Dhoni said that his team lacked a crucial partnership chasing a low score against New Zealand in the opener of the World T20 at the VCA Stadium here tonight. Speaking to the media after India’s 47-run defeat, Dhoni felt there were too many soft dismissals during India’s chase.

“We needed a stand to stay in the game. But it did not happen. The bowlers did a decent job in containing the Kiwis to a modest score. But I think it is the batting department which was a bit of a disappointment,” the Indian captain commented.

Listen to Dhoni's post-match comments

“I would definitely feel that the Nagpur pitch is a sporting one. Generally many feel that only seaming wickets are spinning. May be they feel that only if the ball hits the head it is a sporting wicket,” he said with a smile.

“It was clear lack of application by us when chasing the target. This is what happens when the top order fails, the pressure will be on the lower order in such situations. You need to push for those singles and twos to build the innings,” Dhoni observed.

“I don’t believe that we are playing badly against spinners of late. If you remember the first few Test matches I played, there were no turners at all. But, yes, it is always a challenge to bat on turning tracks for there is little room for error,” Dhoni remarked.

The Indian captain said that the big challenge for him and the team is to stay positive, learn from the mistakes here, how to come back strongly and show the character.

Dhoni did not subscribe to the view that the next game against Pakistan in Kolkata will be a do-or-die battle.

“I never said that. But any game will be like that and the important thing is that we have to keen on the margin of victories as we move on,” he pointed out.

India’s most successful captain also disagreed that the Black Caps read the pitch better, if the selection of three spinners in their side were an indication.

“If you look at that way, Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh) did not bowl at all. But, yes, they bowled well we must admit,” he said.

“The pitches will be different at different venues and we can’t expect similar wickets obviously,” he said. “We have to adapt quickly.”

For his part, New Zealand star spinner of the evening, Mitchell Santner, said that it was a huge morale-booster for his team to start off the campaign with a big win against a strong team like India.

“We knew it is going to be hard task to beat India in such a low scoring match. But we stuck to our plans and kept getting wickets regularly to stay in the game,” Santner said.