Print this article

'In the next three matches we'll have more support than England'

August 28, 2014 00:14 IST

Mahendra Singh Dhoni heaved a sigh of relief after his team turned its fortunes around with a 133-run win in the second ODI against England in Cardiff and the Indian captain said it's a "good format to come back into form" following the Test series debacle.

- Scorecard

Dhoni was cheered on as he walked up to the dais for the post-match presentation ceremony.

"In the next three matches we'll have more support than the England team which is unusual at times. You can't play one-dimensional cricket, it's a good format to come back into form," Dhoni said at the presentation ceremony.

Suresh Raina (left) of India is congratulated by capatin MS Dhoni after reaching his century in Cardiff. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Suresh Raina smashed a belligerent 75-ball century as India began their one-day campaign on a resounding note when they trounced England by 133 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series at Sophia Gardens.

"The start is always crucial, the first 10 overs was not about the runs we scored and it was important to not lose wickets. If we have a good stand after 30 overs we will double the score."

"Losing too many early wickets puts pressure on the players who play big shots and it's not always easy. Rohit and Shikhar batted well early on."
Dhoni felt there was just the "right amount of rain" to help his spinners.

India's Suresh Raina hits out during the second one-day international against England at the SWALEC stadium. Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters

England skipper Alastair Cook said his team was not up to the mark.

"We didn't play very well at all. Credit to Suresh and MS, they took the game away from us and we were slow to react. But it wasn't a 160-wicket. We didn't turn up in any of our departments. We have to dust ourselves down, come back and play better," Cook said.

Cook said there was a lot of talent in his and side and that it would make a comeback.

MS Dhoni (right) and Suresh Raina celebrate after India had dismissed Jos Buttler. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Man of the Match Raina said, "The wicket was really good. I thought if I batted until 45th over we could put a target on the board.

"I've seen a lot of the Test matches, I was looking forward to this game. I've worked really hard on my batting and fitness." Put into bat, India, who are looking to put their Test 1-3 debacle behind them, rode Raina's 100 to post a challenging 304 for six in 50 overs.

As per the revised target under the Duckworth/Lewis method, England needed 295 runs in 47 overs but were bowled out for 161 in 38.1 overs.