Dhoni’s innings was the difference, says http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 – Cricket News Update
Australian skipper Michael Clarke on Tuesday conceded that his side was outplayed by the Indians, adding that home skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028’s impressive double century knock was the difference between the two sides in the first Test of the four-match
series here in Chennai, which the hosts won by eight wickets.
"They outplayed us. Mahendra Singh Dhoni certainly led the charge and I thought http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Kohli-c2737 was outstanding as well with his hundred. But it certainly was Dhoni, who changed the game," a dejected Clarke told media reporters at the post-match press conference
on Tuesday.
After having the tourists rolled over for 380 in their first innings, the Men in Blue rode on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s dazzling 224 to set a lead of 194 runs. Dhoni’s 265-ball stay at the crease saw him clearing the ropes 30 time (24 fours and six
sixes). The Ranchi wicketkeeper batsman was well complemented by Virat Kohli, who smashed a meticulous century (107 off 206) as the duo went on to post 128 runs for the fifth wicket stand.
Clarke admitted that his Indian counterpart’s innings had the most impact on the match result; however, he did not miss to praise off-spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/R-Ashwin-c2228 for his 12-wicket match haul, and Virat Kohli for sharing a century stand with the skipper.
"It (Dhoni's innings) certainly had an impact on the game. Dhoni contributed a lot to India's success in this Test match. But like I said, Kohli made a fantastic hundred. Ashwin got seven wickets in the first innings and five in the second," said http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120.
"Those were three very good performances. We were completely outplayed," the visiting skipper went on to add.
The second Test of the four-match series will be played in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hyderabad-c792 Deccan from March 2 to 6. Clarke remained noncommittal when asked if the tourists would play an extra spinner in the Hyderabad Test.
"We've got the same options we had before this Test. We need to assess conditions once we get to Hyderabad. Australian spin took three wickets in first innings while fast bowlers took a lot more," said Clarke.
"That does not mean to say we got it right by playing three fast bowlers and a medium-pace all-rounder. We need to look at conditions again and work out what we think is the best XI," concluded the Aussie skipper.
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