Chennai, Mar 20: India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today admitted that losing quick wickets was still a concern but said his team was gradually improving and will be at its best against Australia in the World Cup quarterfinals in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
India, who had lost nine wickets for just 29 runs against South Africa in their last outing, today slipped from 218 for three to 268 all out.
"It (losing wickets) is a concern. But there is a gradual improvement (from seven for 29 to seven for 50) I am sure we will be at our best in the quarters. That's the positive I will take out of this," Dhoni said after India beat West Indies by 80 runs here.
Dhoni said the turning point of the match was the wicket of opener Devon Smith, who was dismissed by pacer Zaheer Khan in the 31st over to trigger a collapse.
"The game really changed once Zaheer gave us the breakthrough, until then Devon was batting really well. After that we could put pressure on both sides, and got more wickets than we needed and seize the game in the end," Dhoni said.
Asked about their quarterfinal match against Australia, Dhoni said they are focusing on the preparation rather than thinking about the result.
"Australia are a very strong side and very expressive on the field. But it's about how we prepare. Preparation is very important and we are just thinking about that particular day and match rather than think about the result," he said.
"Being in the present is a better option that thinking of the past or worrying about the future," he added.
Man of the Match Yuvraj Singh, who battled stomach cramps to score 113 runs and took two crucial wickets, said he was happy with the way he was middling the ball.
"It's been good, I went in and was middling the ball, so happy with the way it went. When you lose early wickets, you need a partnership going. Me and Virat took us to 220, very happy with the way it went," he said.
"I was getting stomach cramps since morning, but I wanted to bat till the end. I am Very happy with the team effort today. We have our batting plans. Our batting is going well, once we get the bowling and fielding going we should be ok.
Asked about the quarterfinals match against Australia, Yuvraj said,"Australia have won five matches, we have also won five matches, so looking forward to the contest."
West Indies skipper Darren Sammy said though they lost the match, there first objective of reaching the quarterfinals have been achieved.
"We reached our first objective of reaching the knockout stage and we have to tighten our games quickly and produce our A game to beat Pakistan in the quarterfinals," Sammy said.
Sammy said he was happy with the bowling but said batting has let them down.
"Rampaul was really good in his first game. He bowled tremendously, our bowing game good something which many felt were not our strong point. But we lost seven wickets in 30 odd runs and that is a concern," he said.
West Indies had beaten Bangladesh by nine wickets after bowling out the hosts for just 58 runs and Sammy hoped that they will carry the same confidence when they play in Dhaka on Wednesday.
"We did well against Bangladesh at Dhaka and hopefully we will have the same confidence going in there on Wednesday," he said.
Sammy also hoped that injured players Kemar Roach and Chris Gayle will be fit for the match against Pakistan.
"Knowing their commitment, I hope they will hopefully come out and give their best for West Indies," he said. PTI
