Our batting flopped in both innings: Dhoni

MELBOURNE: India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni pointed out that it was the "flop" show of his batsmen in both the innings that led to a comprehensive 122-run defeat at the hands of Australia, in the first cricket Test, here on Thursday.

"Our batting flopped in both the innings. We have to show more consistency," Dhoni told the reporters at the post-match media conference. India could manage only 282 and 169 in the two innings.

"We had a decent start in the first innings. We needed to capitalize on it. When the day began, if we could have got them down to 240-250 runs, it was gettable. Even 292, we should have achieved as the wicket was good. There wasn't much wear and tear on the surface," a disappointed captain remarked.

"In the first innings, we had a good stand going and their bowlers were also a bit tired. So if we could have seen off another 20 overs with the new ball, it would have become easy to score runs. Once a bowler gets tired, he can't bowl with the same pace and consistency."

To discerners, Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal on the second evening when he was on 73, was the decisive moment of the game.

"Towards the close of play, everyone wants to be at the non-striker?s end. It happens to everyone. That's why you have the concept of a nightwatchman in cricket. But if a bowler bowls a gem of a delivery to get you out, you just have got to accept it."

Dhoni feels that it was lack of reverse swing that let Australia score 333 in the first essay.

"On the first day, the tail flourished because we were not able to get reverse swing since the wicket had moisture and was fresh. The conditions were not helpful. We need to have a formula to get the lower half out, especially if they are batting nearer the 65-over mark."

There were quite a few decisions which didn't go in favour of the Indians but Dhoni says he would rather rely on umpires to give decision on the field than take the help of technology.

"I was a big fan of Hot Spot before the England tour.

After the tour, I'm not so sure now. Same with snicko-meter. I would rather show faith and rely on umpires who have been doing the job all these years. If umpires are consistent, I don't mind."

Dhoni said that umpires should always be bold while they give their decisions.

"But umpires ought to give their decisions boldly. They shouldn't go into their shells. It's a difficult job for umpires unlike a bowler or a batsman, they have to be in the field on all five days.

"They just need to back their decisions. They don't need to be God. Mistakes are part and parcel of the game. If it's not done intentially, I'm perfectly ok, if umpires make genuine mistakes."

It was the fifth successive Test which India lost on foreign soil, yet Dhoni termed the year 2011 as almost perfect for his team.

"There were phases when we didn't do well. England being the one patch where we didn't win a single game. But the World Cup was a most treasured moment. It gave us immense pleasure.

We were not as consistent as last year, but it happens in cricket because of form of batters and bowlers. If we had done well in England, it would have been a perfect year."