Photographs: Philip Brown/Reuters
With Harbhajan Singh making a memorable comeback and Piyush Chawla coming good in the spin department, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that his side would face the problem of plenty but the best eleven will play in the remaining games of the World Twenty20 in Colombo.
"Now we have got a problem of plenty with both the spinners (Harbhajan and Chawla) doing well today. Yes, we have got difficult decisions to make. Not to forget that the players who missed out today have won a lot of games for India on their own," Dhoni said after India thrash England by 90 runs in their last group league match.
"It will be difficult decision but we will pick the best eleven," he added.
'We requested the seniors to rest'
Image: England's Jonny Bairstow (right) is bowled as India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni looks onPhotographs: Philip Brown/Reuters
He praised the players for the all-round show against defending champions England.
"It was an efficient performance. People might say we were slow for the first 15 over (while batting), but we were not over-aiming. We had five bowlers, we knew that," he said.
"Then the bowlers produced a fantastic performance," he said.
Dhoni informed that he requested some senior players to take rest so that the side can try out some combinations.
"It was a difficult decision, but we requested the seniors to rest so that we could try out some combinations. All of them cooperated and told me to go ahead," he said.
"We rested R Ashwin also, our best spinner for some time so that we can try Harbhajan and Piyush. They did really well today," he added.
'Irfan is a gutsy player'
Image: The Indian teamPhotographs: Vivek Prakash/Reuters
Asked about Irfan Pathan opening the innings in the absence of Virender Sehwag, he said, "We thought by opening with Irfan, there would be no change in batting position of other batsmen. They would be batting in their earlier batting spots."
"He (Irfan) is a gutsy player. He may not look pretty, but he responds to the call," said Dhoni.
"About Rohit, he is talented player. It is important if guys are responding to give them a few extra games."
Broad confesses it was a poor show by his players
Image: England's Steven Finn (left) is consoled by teammate Tim BresnanPhotographs: Philip Brown/Reuters
England captain Stuart Broad conceded that it was a poor show by his players.
"Yeah it was poor. All round really. We were okay with chasing 171, but India bowled really well. We weren't as efficient, but we were happy with 171," he said.
Asked why his batsmen competed in returning to the dressing room, he said, "We played across the line too much. It was worth looking at playing one fewer spinner because we could afford to lose. I don't agree we can't play spin."
"We have been learning. We have had a very bad day, but that doesn't affect the rest of the tournament. We get onto the bus, and play out Super 8s. It doesn't change where we go."
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