JOIN USThese are difficult times for Indian cricket team. The one-day series against Pakistan has already been lost but the hosts will be striving to prevent a whitewash on Sunday.
An under-fire Indian team went through its paces at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium ahead of the third and last ODI in the presence of two selectors—Vikram Rathore and Saba Karim, who had a long chat with Virender Sehwag and Guatam Gambhir, both facing the heat because of poor form.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted their batting had let them down. “We have not been batting well. When we are batting well, we are not bowling that well. We have to do well in all the three departments,” Dhoni told reporters.
Dhoni admitted his side was going through a tough period but he backed his players. “It’s important to back players. Everyone knows we are going through a tough period. But these are your best players and if they are not performing then there is a problem to deal with,” he said. Dhoni also supported India’s coach Duncan Fletcher and said the players need to take responsibility for their poor performances. “It’s time that players take the responsibility.
Coaches are there to guide us. If the player has problem in technique, a coach can suggest. He cannot go to ground. It will be wrong to blame the coach.”
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said the performance of their bowlers had been the difference between the two sides.