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We got complacent after sending back the top order: Dhoni

Last Updated 27 June 2009, 06:16 IST
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India set a massive 340-run target before the hosts but had to toil hard to defend it before managing a 20-run win at Sabina Park.

"Most of the guys thought that we have won the game when they were seven wicket down but it was a mistake and hopefully we won't repeat that. It was more close than thought," he said after the match.

About Yuvraj Singh, who played a magnificent knock of 131 Dhoni said, "He has matured as a batsman in the last couple of years. We rely a lot on him. He gets big runs for us in the middle-order.

Dhoni said handing Ashish Nehra the ball in the closing stage was a gamble which paid off.
"It was a gamble. We were thinking of giving that over to an off-spinner or a pacer. Finally we chose a pacer as the ball was getting reverse swing," he said.

Dhoni credited Yuvraj with taking the game away from the West Indies and said it was a pleasure to have him in the side.
"Once Yuvraj gets in he always gives us a good score with a very good strike rate... he bats at a very crucial position for us - at number four," he said.
"I think that today's was a very brilliant innings from him, it really took the game away from the West Indies, especially in the second power play.
"It's a pleasure to have him in the side because he takes the pressure off the lower-order batsmen," he said.
Losing skipper Chris Gayle felt they should have capitalised on the good start.
"We came close and the effort can't be faulted for the way we went about it. I think that we had a good start (to the innings) and a couple of the top-order batsmen got good starts, which we should have capitalised on," he said.
"It was a good effort. We batted well. Darren who was making debut was also impressive. Shiv played a top innings at the top," he said.
Gayle said he would also have batted first on the dry track. "I think if we had won the toss we would have batted first because it is a flat track and the wicket seemed a bit dry," he said.

Gayle also praised Indian batsmen, particularly Yuvraj.
"We must give credit to Yuvraj (Singh) for the way he batted because he started really slow, but this goes to show his power because once he gets himself in he can be very dangerous. He batted really well and set up a good innings for his team," he said.
"It's a small outfield and a flat track and it is difficult to contain him when he is on the go but it was good to get him out at the end," he added.
Man-of-the-Match Yuvraj said he exercised restrain to get set before exploding.
"I was getting used to the pace initially. After getting 25-30 runs I was comfortable. I got the momentum and played my shots. The partnership with Dinesh and Dhoni got us to the big total," he said.

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(Published 27 June 2009, 06:16 IST)

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