Absorbing pressure was the key against Pakistan, says Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Cricket News Update
Having beaten http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 and Virender
Sehwag for their 74-run second-wicket stand, which took the game away from the opposition.
Apart from playing against the arch-rivals, it was a must-win game for the Men in Blue to stay in contention for the trophy, since they lost their previous match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 at the same venue.
Dhoni thinks that his boys did not get carried away with the situation and focussed on the job in hand, instead of the outcome.
"The players looked relaxed, we knew there was something in store. It's good that Kohli is taking the responsibility, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HA-Varaiya-c1520 batted well, we lost Gambhir early," said Dhoni. "I always felt that if you are desperate for a win you put more pressure on yourself.
We didn't think too far ahead of ourselves. Thanks to the crowd for showing up."
The Green Shirts opted to bat first after winning the toss and were off to a flier in the first couple of overs. The situation however, changed drastically with Pakistan’s top-order batting falling like a house of cards. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umar-Akmal-c94595 added
some stability to the score-line but they also failed to convert their starts into big knocks.
Chasing a mediocre total of 129, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/G-Gambhir-c1447, their premier opener, in the very first over, before Kohli and Sehwag took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers.
Kohli was named as the Player of the Match for his stunning 78 not out off just 61 balls, in which the right-hander struck eight fours and two sixes.
The budding batsman expressed during the post-match presentation ceremony that the pitch was not ideal for stroke-play, although it became a touch easier in the second innings.
"The key is to stay as calm as possible. In the last game I thought a bit too much. The idea it to play 10-15 overs and the team benefits from it. It's a slow wicket but better under lights," said the young batsman.
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