Demand on bowlers to adapt to T20 from Tests is very challenging, says MS Dhoni

Captain MS Dhoni was sunny in his outlook in diagnosing the 1-run defeat to West Indies in the first T20I in the series being held in the USA, saying the press conference after the match that he was generally satisfied with the fight shown by India. The classic encounter between the 2^nd and 3^rd ranked T20I sides turned out to be the highest scoring match in this format’s history, with Dhoni being one of the major players involved in the nailbiting closing stages .

Dhoni said, “There were lots of positives in the game – the way we chased down 245. Apart from the last ball, we were in the game throughout. The thought was right, the execution was not.”

He was also effusive in praising KL Rahul – “He has been very consistent. I feel that is a strength of Rahul also, compact player but at the same time unorthodox shots. He plays all over the ground, over covers, mid off, mid on. So a complete cricketer. Of course, there's a long way to go for him but the way he has played in the last six months, it's very encouraging to see him bat."

The Indian fast bowlers were wayward with their line and length initially, thrown off their natural game by the ease with which they were being belted on this alien ground. Dhoni explained that it is very challenging for bowlers to return to the requirements of the shortest format after having played Test cricket. 78 runs were scored without a wicket in the first 6 overs of the West Indies innings, setting the stage up for the high-scoring finish.

“The demands on the players were too high. Getting back from the Test format, it is difficult to get into the groove of the shortest format. From bowling consistent line and length, you’re suddenly asked to bowl yorkers.”

Bowlers conceding fewer sixes ended up on winning side: Dhoni

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja bowled some cheap overs in the context of the game towards the very end, denying West Indies the chance to break the record for the highest T20I team score ever, keeping the total down to 246.

Dhoni said, “I don’t take things emotionally, but overall it was a game we almost won. We need to cut down on the runs given away in the first 6 overs. That is when we gave away too many runs, I was very happy with how we brought it back in the last 8 overs.”

Dhoni also came up with a pointed observation from the match, about the amount of sixes being hit. While there were a record 21 sixes in the West Indies innings, Indians hit 11. Having seen how the pitch will behave in the first T20I, Indian bowlers will approach the second match with a more prepared approach, perhaps focused on cutting down on the aerial shots.

“It is difficult for bowlers on batting paradises such as this. One needs to assess the situation and change one’s bowling accordingly. There were more sixes than fours in the game. The bowlers who gave away the fewer sixes ended up on the winning side.”

On the last ball duel which he lost to his good friend and rival Dwayne Bravo, Dhoni said, “Bravo is one of the best when it comes to death bowling. He has a lot of experience too, which counts in these situations. You have to be on the look out for what he going to bowl and according to that you have to play your shots.”