Durban: After blaming the bowlers for defeat in the first ODI, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni now says an under-performing middle-order was one of the main reasons for his team's pathetic show against South Africa.
After being reduced to 34 for four, India were bowled out for 146 in 35.1 overs, chasing 281 runs in the second One-dayer. No batsman crossed the 40-run mark. Even in the first ODI Indian batting could not last fifty overs.
"In the last few series our middle order, to some extent, was a bit of a bother. In this series we lost the top three quite early and our middle order was exposed. So if you assess, then that's maybe why we haven't been able to perform
to our potential," he said in the post-match press conference.
Dhoni said the wicket here was flat and that he was surprised that Indian batsmen could not take advantage of it.
"The wicket was on the flatter side and there wasn't much for the fast bowlers in it, so I am disappointed with the batting. The kind of shots we played, well, few of them were on. But the shot execution was not great to some extent, as they went to the fielders," he said.
Dhoni though expressed his pleasure about the bowlers' performance.
"Compared to the last game, our bowling did a fantastic job especially in the middle orders. Spinners bowled well and so did the fast bowlers when they came back on, in the latter stages of the South African innings. I am happy with the
bowlers' performance because 280 runs on this pitch was a decent score."
