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Why didn't Dravid get benefit of doubt, asks Dhoni
A perplexed Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni questioned the Decision Review System's accuracy after Rahul Dravid was controversially given out despite television replays not showing any edge off the bat during his side's first ODI against England.
"There are quite a few things (about that dismissal). There was no mark on the Hot Spot, no visual deflection and the umpire had given not out. The benefit of doubt in such cases go to the batsman," Dhoni said after the match was abandoned due to heavy rain.
"I still don't know how exactly he was given out. Whether it was off snickometer; whether snicko is allowed to be used; whether it was an audio technician or a third umpire who gave him out. There are any number of fair questions to be asked; why should not the benefit of doubt go to a batsman?" Dhoni asked.
Injury woes for Team India
Besides, Dhoni was also worried about the ever-growing list of injured players in the Indian camp after Sachin Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma too joined the casualty list.
"We could do with 15 more players, initially I said what could have gone wrong, did go wrong. But it has only increased since then," stated Dhoni.
While Tendulkar has an inflamed right toe, Rohit got his right index finger fractured during the Indian innings.
"Coming from India and performing here straightaway can be difficult. We are fighting with whatever resources we've got. May be increasing the strength of the team can be the key. We could look at travelling with 18 players if needed," he said.
Dhoni confirmed that the team would be asking for Rohit's replacement straightaway as the right-handed batsman is out of the rest of the series.
"Rohit would be visiting a specialist and it's almost certain he would not play any further in this series. Tendulkar will also see a specialist. It's an old injury which has flared up. He had practice with us last evening but this morning it flared up," Dhoni informed.
Parthiv, Rahane played really well
He said India would have won the match had England got only 20 overs to play and with 164 to win. England were 27 for two in 7.2 overs, chasing India's 275, when rain interrupted and match abandoned later.
"A lot has happened in this series. This alone (abandonment) was left. It could have been difficult for them to get close to 130 runs in 12 overs. It was a difficult target to achieve as we had bowled well in the first seven overs," he said.
The Indian captain was all praise for his top order batsmen for posting 274 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.
"They (the openers) batted well. What was important was to see off the new ball. It initially swings at this time of the year. What we wanted was stable partnership. They were careful initial but then nicely built up their innings. After Rahane was out, Parthiv made sure he had some partnership so that lower order batsmen could come and score runs.
'We were a few runs short'
"It was an important knock for them. If you think, these players will be playing in next 3-4 years time. They did it against a good bowling attack and when the most experienced players in your side were missing. It's a big learning experience for them and it would help them in future."
Dhoni, however, said that his side did not quite capitalise on the fine start of the top order.
"We were a few runs short because we lost Rohit. We wanted to cash in on the slog overs, get as many runs as possible without taking too many risks."