Centurion, September 27: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has held the lackluster bowling display responsible for his side’s humiliating 54-run defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Pakistan in their Champions Trophy opener.
“I was feeling not one bowler short but three bowlers short. It was tough to set field for them,” stated Dhoni here after Indian bowling department conceded 302 runs to Pakistan.
India’s frontline bowlers, except for Ishant Sharma, went for huge runs. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was Dhoni’s trump card in the slow SuperSport wicket late last night, conceded 71 runs in his 10 overs while and RP Singh and Ashish Nehra finished up the day’s proceedings in the high 50s.
The fourth-wicket Pakistani pair of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Yousuf pulverised the Indian bowling during their record 206-run stand.
“Whatever field you gave them, it didn’t work. You can give the field but can’t really bowl for anyone.
–Agencies