India vs Sri lanka,Indian oil cup 2005
Date:August 3 (2005)
Dhoni's Performance in Match
Catches :3 / Stumpings : 0
Batting:20 runs (27 balls), 4s:1 / 6s: 0
Strike rate:74.07
How got Out: c & b Dilshan
Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain, has said the lack of a regular fifth bowler was a crucial factor in the four-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the fourth match of the IndianOil Cup at Dambulla on August 3.
"After having them 95 for 6 at one stage, losing the game is hard to swallow," said Dravid according to a PTI news release. "Maybe we needed another wicket at that stage but Mahela [Jayawardene] and Upul [Chandana] played very well and we were probably a bowler short."
He also blamed the batsmen for not performing in the closing stages of the innings. "In the two games we have played against Sri Lanka, batsmen have not batted in the last seven or eight overs. That has cost us badly," Dravid said. "We are playing an extra batsman hoping he would score enough runs. We need to convert starts and top batsmen need to bat till the end overs."
Dravid also said that the wicket was easier to bat on in the second innings and that the ball became softer towards the end of the second innings. He praised Ashish Nehra for his excellent spell of 2 for 22 and said that he was happy with the fighting spirit the team showed. "It was good to run them close in two matches," said Dravid "we now have to try to finish them off."
Result:Sri lanka won by 4 wickets
Player of Match: Mahela Jayawardene
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