JOIN USIndian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday termed the innings and 54-run defeat against England as a hurtful result.
“Yes, it will hurt us a lot. A Test match getting over in three days will certainly hurt us,” said Dhoni in his post-match press do.
The Jharkhand man said it was mandatory now for the Indian top order to get runs. “It is up to the batsmen to take up responsibility. It is the batting department that has to improve, and the top five or six batsmen have to get more runs to put pressure on England,” said Dhoni.
The Jharkhand man said India’s batting in the first innings where they were bowled out for 152 made all the difference to the outcome of the match. “The first hour of this Test match was crucial. We lost six wickets in the first half an hour in our first innings. And that made all the difference to the result,” said Dhoni.
On the under performing Virat Kohli, Dhoni said, “he has been going through a lean period. Has scored runs in every format in the last four years or so, and he now has to go through this period. But I am sure this phase will make him a better cricketer. It’s not disappointing but rather it will help him to become better as a batsman.”
England skipper Alastair Cook was understandably elated with the success. “We wanted to win this Test after putting in that terrific effort in the first innings with bat and ball.
“But with the weather forecast coming in of a storm and all…We are quite happy that we took nine wickets in one session.”
On the injured Stuart Broad, Cook said: “I have no idea whether he will be ready for the Oval. I think Broady has a broken nose, and we have to wait on for more scan results.
“It’s a shock when you see that happen with the helmets these days.”