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I read the track wrong: Dhoni
Crediting his bowlers for the thumping 127-run win over England in the second ODI, India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said he read the Kochi track wrong, as he initially thought it would become good for batting in second half and the visitors would benefit from that.
"It seemed like a wicket that may flatten; we thought it will dry up and the spinners may not get much turn. Good that I was wrong and our spinners got turn," he said after the match.
'Yuvraj and Kohli gave us the platform'
Dhoni said the pitch assisted the fast bowlers when India began batting, and commended Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh for their 53-run third-wicket partnership which, he felt, helped the home side pass through that tough phase.
- Jadeja, Dhoni steer India to easy win at Kochi
"Initially when there was something for the fast bowlers, it was important to see that phase off. We didn't get a good start, openers were finding it difficult, Yuvraj and Kohli gave us the platform," said Dhoni.
'I think it was a perfect Test wicket'
Terming the Kochi strip as a 'perfect' wicket, Dhoni said it had all the ingredients of a great pitch for Test cricket.
"I think it was a perfect Test wicket; something for the fast bowlers and plenty of turn for the spinners, which is what we are looking for," he said.
Cook attributed his team's loss to poor bowling
Meanwhile, England captain Alastair Cook attributed his team's loss to the poor bowling performance at the death overs, which saw England giving away 108 runs in the last 10.
"Last 10 overs we gave over 100 runs. They cost us the game. I think 240-250 on this wicket was a gettable score," he said.
England were outplayed
Cook conceded that England were outplayed by the Indians on the field and lamented over not capitalising on the good start given by his bowlers.
"It spun a little more in the second innings, but you cannot use that as an excuse. We were out-skilled and outplayed today. Those first 10 overs we had a chance to get three four wickets, we did no quite do that. (Steven) Finn bowled well. Credit to India they put us under pressure," he said.
I enjoyed my batting: Jadeja
Man-of-the-Match Ravindra Jadeja said his IPL experience for the now scrapped Kochi team helped him.
"I enjoyed my batting. The wicket was good and the ball was coming on.
"I knew the wicket. It was going to be was bit slow, but once you get in, you can score runs. Also, Mahi bhai was telling me, don't throw away your wicket," he said.