
On a day of contrasting fortunes, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni rued a spineless batting display by his team describing it 8220;irresponsible8221; while his opposite number Michael Clarke revelled in the glory of leading Australia to their maiden Twenty20 win over India.
While Dhoni could not hide his disappointment at India8217;s batting collapse that saw them bowled out for 74 in 17.3 overs, Clarke was marveling at his team8217;s ruthless performance that made captaincy so much easier for him.
Dhoni said the only good thing that his Twenty20 world champion side managed in Friday8217;s match was winning the toss.
8220;That8217;s the only good thing that we did. There are 11 players in the side and every guy has a responsibility. But unfortunately some of our guys failed in that today,8221; a disappointed Dhoni said after the nine-wicket thrashing handed out to his team by ODI world champions.
The Indian skipper did not want to make Yuvraj Singh8217;s absence an excuse for the loss but admitted that the hard-hitting left-hander was crucial for the side.
8220;Yuvraj is important for us in Twenty20,8221; he said.
On Sachin Tendulkar being left out for the match, Dhoni clarified that it was the master batsman8217;s own decision to sit out of the game and take rest.
8220;I asked him whether he wanted to play today and get some practice ahead of the Indian Premier League but he said he wanted to rest so I said 8216;OK8217;,8221; Dhoni revealed.
The Indian skipper rejected suggestions that the win has given Aussies a psychological edge ahead of the ODI tri-series also featuring Sri Lanka.
8220;This is completely different from the ODI series. Sachin will be back for that and so will be Yuvraj. We hope to start it positively next week,8221; he said.
Clarke, who was adjudged man of the match for effecting a brilliant run out besides making unbeaten 37, was ecstatic at having finally managed to upstage India in the shortest format of the game.
8220;We had a look at all the Indians before the game. Our bowlers studied their batsmen and we executed all our plans well. Our guys did a fantastic job,8221; Clarke said.
8220;We were up for the game and what a fantastic performance we put on,8221; he gushed.
Retiring wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, for whom the match was a Twenty20 swan song, said he was relieved to be going out after beating India.
8220;It8217;s nice that we have finally beaten India in twenty20. It8217;s nice to finish my T20 career with a win,8221; he said.
Gilchrist also lavished praise on Michael Clarke for his stout leadership.
8220;Clarke8217;s captaincy was fantastic. I think we are getting a glimpse what is there in the future,8221; he said.