India were staring at their first win on English soil but rain interrupted the match for the third time when the hosts needed 11 runs to win off seven balls with two wickets in hand.
But with the rain falling the Duckworth/Lewis method came into play and India were unlucky. England clinched the series with still a match left.
"We have not won anything. It has been a long tour, we have one more game, we will give it our best," said Dhoni, who scored 78.
Dhoni had words of praise for Suresh Raina, who struck a blistering 84, with whom he shared a crucial 169-run that propelled India to 280 for five and the tourists seemed set to secure their first win over England, having suffered a whitewash in the Test series.
"We know Raina has fair amount of firepower and if he gets going can destroy any attack in the world," said Dhoni.
The India captain also praised part-time spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who picked up the crucial wicket of Ian Bell, who scored 57.
"Jadeja is doing his job brilliantly. In conditions like these, it is hard for the part-timers. Today when the ball got wet, we had enough resources," said Dhoni.
The Board of Control for Cricket In India (BCCI) refused to clear the air, taking a typically defiant stand.
"Lorgat can say whatever he wants to. We don't want to comment on it," CAO of the BCCI, Ratnakar Shetty told TOI. BCCI secretary and president-elect N Srinivasan too took the no comments route. "The board has nothing to say on this," he stressed.
The Indian camp had claimed on Monday night when their players' absence was acutely felt at the function that the invite had come too late. Team manager Shivlal Yadav stated he was told about the event only at 12 noon by an ICC communication officer.
"By then, the players had already left. Some had gone shopping while some others sight-seeing as this was their final day in London," he said.
Lorgat dismissed reports that the team hadn't been informed in advance of the function. "It was quite disappointing that the Indian team did not attend. I know for a fact that my team had invited it a few months earlier. We probably have confirmation of their attendance. In fact, the date was scheduled around their availability in London," Lorgat said.
"We sent the invitations through the BCCI. Perhaps the question should be asked to the BCCI," he added.
Interestingly, Sharad Pawar, the former BCCI president and current President of the ICC gave away the Garfield Sobers award for the Cricketer of the year to England's Jonathan Trott.
Even senior BCCI functionary Rajiv Shukla was present at the event. Interestingly, the Indian team was put up at a hotel not too far from the venue of the function.
Shukla, when asked about the team skipping the event, was curiously clueless and said he wasn't aware that the Indian team wouldn't be turning up.
"I thought those who have been nominated would be attending the function," said Shukla. He was quick to slip into the garb of indifference, though, when he stated, "It is the prerogative of the players whether to attend the function or not," he added.
Apart from Dhoni, who won the Spirit of cricket award, India had nominations in the form of Sachin Tendulkar (Test Player of the Year) and Gautam Gambhir (ODI Player of the Year).
The ICC CEO said the huge gathering at the ceremony was disappointed not to see Indian players. "In fact, I feel more saddened because of the number of people. Almost everybody in attendance last night was disappointed that India was not represented," Lorgat added.
Lorgat said such behaviour from a top team was not expected.
"It's a great shame. It's very disappointing that not long ago they were the No. 1 Test team in the World. They won the World Cup in such style. And many fans and people had come specifically to seem them.
No comments:
Post a Comment