The flopshow of India’s senior batsmen in the Test
series loss to Australia notwithstanding, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni
on Saturday refused to say anything on their future, insisting that
decisions would not be taken in haste.
There is
intense speculation on the future of batting trio of Sachin Tendulkar,
Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman after their failure to perform in the 0-4
series whitewash at the hands of Australia.
“We will
have to wait and watch (if there are changes). Our next Test series is
only in September, there is plenty of time, we don’t want to take
decisions quickly,” said Dhoni.
Dhoni said the hosts
were the deserving winners as they played consistent cricket throughout
the rubber unlike his team. “They have played consistent cricket.
Whenever a partnership was needed, their batsmen stepped up and put
par-plus runs on the board. Their bowlers were also consistent. They
always stepped up when needed,” Dhoni said.
“There
comes a phase in Australia when once you are set it is difficult for
bowlers. That is when you have to be consistent with line and length.
They (Australia) never gave us boundaries easily,” he added.
Dhoni hoped for revival of fortunes in the upcoming
limited-overs matches. “We have the ODI series coming up and there will
be a completely different side. It (the tour) is a learning experience
for the youngsters. Once you play 100-odd ODIs, it is always good to
have that experience when you make your Test debut,” he said.
Australia captain Michael Clarke said even though the 4-0
scoreline suggest their complete domination over India in the series, it
wasn’t a cakewalk for the home team. “It’s a pretty good start. Lot of
credit to the players and support staff. But it has not been easy, it
may look like that on the scoreboard with 4-0,” he said.
“We resolved to make sure the disappointment of last summer
does not recur this summer. We have tried to improve every day. I have
been happy the whole summer, I have had a lot of support and needed it.
“India have a lot of great players, they have copped a bit
of flak over the last month. It’s an honour to play against them,”
Clarke added.
With 626 runs to his credit from four
Tests with a personal best of 329 not out, Clarke was also adjudged the
man-of-the-series. “I have never made so many runs in a series in my
career. To score runs against such a good bowling line-up has been
good,” he said.
Man-of-the-match Peter Siddle, who
scalped six wickets in the game with figures five for 49 in India’s
first innings, said lady luck finally smiled on him. He also lauded his
teammates, especially his bowling colleagues for their superb show in
the series.
“I was probably unlucky earlier. The
bowling unit has done superbly together. I was lucky to get rewards
here,” he said. “The batting has been lovely. We have stuck to having
bowling partnerships every Test. My bowling length has improved, there
is consistency,” Siddle insisted.
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