India captain Sourav Ganguly credited his bowlers with his team's 23-run win over England in the final one-day game of the NatWest Challenge but was understandably worried when talking about his batsmen.
"Our bowlers were outstanding, especially in the first 10 overs," said Ganguly. "But the batsmen still are a long way from running into good form.
"The wicket was a lot slower and it's been always so at Lord's. The medium-pacers bowled beautifully and the spinners got a good purchase," he added
Indian bowlers defended a low score of 204 runs but in the batting, with the exception of Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, no one got going.
"We are not batting well and it is fair to say we didn't back ourselves when we came into the middle -- but the bowlers were outstanding."
Ganguly said he had pushed Virender Sehwag down the order because of his constant failures and moved VVS Laxman up the order because of latter's past experience.
"Sometimes it is better to shift somebody around if he is not in the best of nick -- I had spoken to them about the
impending shuffle yesterday itself," he said.
Ganguly said the shuffle should not imply this is going to be the trend in the Champions Trophy, which starts on September 10.
The Indian captain was pleased with his man-of-match effort of 90 runs but still felt he got out at the wrong time.
"I batted till the 40th over, so it was good in that way. But still I got myself out at the wrong time."
Ganguly said he concentrated on building an innings, spending some time in the middle, and get himself into a decent feel before executing his customary big shots.
"It was important I stayed at the wicket so I played straight and avoided shots square of the wickets," commented the Indian captain.
The left-hander was convinced England is not the same side if their all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is not featuring in
the eleven for them.
"I have no doubt England without Flintoff is not the same side -- he brings in a typical dash for the team in the
middle."
England captain Michael Vaughan credited Indian medium-pacers for their fine win and said they were difficult to get away in the first 10 overs.
"They rarely bowled a bad ball and were quite accurate and penetrative," said Vaughan.
But Vaughan wasn't worried he had bailed India out of jail just before an important competition and chest-thumped out of a coma-like condition.
"I have always believed India to be a good side and am not concerned with what happens to them from now on," said Vaughan.
"As far as I am concerned I am happy to have won the three-match series against them," he said.
The two teams now head into the Champions Trophy with engagements against two African sides - England meeting Zimbabwe at Edgbaston on September 10 and India taking on Kenya a day later at Southampton.
