Kochi, Jan 16: Crediting his bowlers for the thumping 127-run win over England in the second one-dayer, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he read the Kochi track wrong as he initially thought it would become good for batting in second half and the visitors would benefit from that.
“It seemed like a wicket that may flatten, dry up and the spinners may not get much turn. It's good that I was wrong and our spinners got turn,” said Dhoni after the match.
Dhoni said the pitch assisted the fast bowlers when India began batting and commended Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh for the 53-run third-wicket partnership which he felt had helped the home side pass through a tough phase.
“Initially when there is something for the fast bowlers, it is important to see that phase off. We didn't get a good start as the openers were finding it difficult. Yuvraj and Kohli gave us the platform,” the Indian captain said.
Terming the Kochi strip as a ‘perfect' wicket, Dhoni said it had all the ingredients of a great wicket for Test cricket.
“I think the wicket was a perfect Test wicket, something for the fast bowlers and plenty of turn for the spinners, which is what we are looking for,” he said.
Meanwhile, England captain Alastair Cook attributed his team's loss to the poor bowling performance at the death overs which saw England giving away 108 runs in the last 10 overs.
“In the last 10 overs, we gave over 100 runs. They cost us the game. I think 240-250 on this wicket was a gettable score,” he said.
Cook conceded that England were outplayed by the Indians on the field and lamented for not capitalising on the good start given by his bowlers.
