The controversial dismissal of Mahendra Singh Dhoni could prove to be the turning point of the match with the wicketkeeper-batsman on Monday stating that had he stayed a little longer, the scenario could have been different for the hosts.
Dhoni, who led the Indian fightback with the bat in the third and final Test in Mumbai by top-scoring with 64 before being declared run out, said he was quite disappointed by his dismissal, although he respected the umpire's verdict.
"It was quite disappointing because had I stayed on for another 10 to 15 overs more, it would have been a totally different situation," the Indian stumper said after the third day's play.
The Jharkhand player said since the ball was coming nicely on to the bat, he could have gone on to score more runs for his team.
"The ball was new and was coming on to the bat nicely. There were plenty of opportunities for runs being scored. There would have been chances of getting out as well but speaking positively, had I stayed on, we could have got more runs," Dhoni said.
Dhoni was controversially declared run out by third umpire K Hariharan as action replays suggested that the bails were not dislodged when a direct hit was made at the non-striker's end by England's James Anderson from mid-on.
He, however, refused to be drawn into any controversy saying he respected the umpire's decision.
"The moment I passed the stumps I thought that he (James Anderson) had missed it but when I turned and began to walk back to pick up my bat, I noticed that the bails were missing. I haven't seen the TV replays so I can't say much about that. It is a decision taken by the third umpire and has to be respected," he said.
Dhoni said he came to know about the decision by looking at the screen situated in the stands and not at the lights under the control of the third umpire.
The aggressive batsman said his gameplan was to stay positive.
"I just wanted to stay positive and play well. I wanted to look for scoring opportunities and not do anything rash. I just controlled myself to some extent as the English bowlers started to bowl a few yards away from me, not really pitching up to me.
"I had to curtail my cover drives and the backfoot punches as the English really got the ball to get a bit high off the track and that can get the batsman into trouble," he explained.
The Ranchi-born cricketer dismissed any concerns about his well being after being hit by a snorter from Andrew Flintoff behind his left ear.
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Dhoni praised the pitch, saying it had something in it for all concerned batsmen, pacers and slow bowlers, and also said a target of 250 was achievable.
"It's good and has something for the fast bowlers, the spinners as well as the batsmen. The quick bowlers are able to extract good bounce, the ball is turning and the batters are getting scoring opportunities as well.
"Anything around 250 will be a good one. We have good spinners and the ball is turning. We are positive," he said.
Asked about the dropped catches by the team, he dismissed those as a part and parcel of the game. "Some days you pull off good ones and on some days you drop sitters."
