'I don't think we played good cricket'
'Overall, we didn't bat well at all'
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lashed out at his batsmen after losing to South Africa by six wickets in the second T20 International in Cuttack on Monday, saying they did not address their shortcomings.
Put in to bat, India suffered two crucial run-outs as they survived just 17.2 overs, skittled out for just 92.
It was their second lowest T20 score after the 74 against Australia in 2008.
"I don't think we played good cricket. In the batting department, we just wanted to address run-outs and losing wickets in pairs. We didn't improve on that.
“Overall, we didn't bat well at all. It's important to address what went wrong. You get performances like these; what's important is how you bounce back," Dhoni said after the match.
"The calling needs to improve. At times you want to take a chance against the fielder. Sometimes you have to keep the dew factor in mind, because the ball will go to the fielder quicker. You can convert 1.8 runs or 1.9 runs into 2, but not 1.75 or 1.7.
The limited-overs team captain though refused to comment on the bowlers as they had few runs to play with.
"There was dew, but it's slightly difficult to say about the bowling combination. There was not enough runs on the board. One thing is for sure: our spinners are bowling well, and that has been our strength. In the coming games it is important to give some of the other guys a chance. We have some time before the World T20.
"Amit (Mishra) is bowling really well, but looking at their batsmen, the incoming delivery is something the left-handers are good at, that's why we went with two off-spinners," he said.
South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis, though, had everything good to say about his bowlers, who were ably led by Albie Morkel (3-12).
"Look, it's an easy job to be a captain when your bowlers perform like that. I reckon it's the best bowling performance we have had as a T20 team.
“Albie, it's his 50thh game; we are really proud of him for playing that many games. He was really clever with his lines. I thought there was great variety in those first six overs. Imran (Tahir), I'm not sure he's ever bowled in the first six. My thinking was just to try and get wickets. You never try and be too predictable as a bowling unit. KG
(Rabada) bowled four overs on the trot. He bowled really fast," added Faf.
