Dhawan rues middle-order collapse after Paarl ODI loss

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Opener Shikhar Dhawan rued the middle-order collapse after India’s 31-run defeat to South Africa in the first One-day International, in Paarl on Wednesday.

“We had a good start and I feel the wicket was slow; it was offering a bit of turn as well. So, when you are chasing (around) 300 runs, when the middle-order comes to bat, it is not easy to play shots.

"Our wickets fell in a heap and that had an impact on us as a batting unit,” said Dhawan, at the virtual post-match press conference.

“Of course, from our team we did not have a century and we did not have a big partnership,” added the elegant left-handed batter, who top-scored with a brisk 79.

India's inexplicable middle-order collapse ensured that fine half-centuries from Dhawan and Virat Kohli did not count for much.

Dhawan also praised the South African duo of Temba Bavuma (110 off 143) and Rassie van der Dussen (129 not out off 96).

Asked what was the turning point of the game, he replied: “I feel both the South African batsmen (batters) batted quite well and they took the innings quite deep.”

According to the south-paw, he was “happy” that he did well in the game.

“Yes, the plan was to play on merit in the beginning and it was a sort of wicket that we get back home. I was carrying forward my flow, but when the wickets fell, it was in my mind to stitch a big partnership.

"It wasn't easy for the new batsmen to make runs; the plan of the set batsmen was to take it deep, but unfortunately I got out; didn't expect the turn, but yes that happens,” he added.

Asked how he puts all the negativity behind after setbacks, Dhawan quipped, “I don't listen to the media or don't read newspapers or watch news. That way I don't take all that information.

"I have full confidence in myself that what my game is and I stay quite calm. Ups and downs are part of life.”

• Complete coverage: India’s Tour of South Africa