M.S. Dhoni rues lack of individual match wining efforts

Mahendra Singh Dhoni during the IPL final against the Mumbai Indians

Kolkata, May 25 (IANS)

With Chennai Super Kings yet again ending up as the runners up in the IPL at the Eden Gardens here, skipper M S Dhoni on Sunday lamented lack of individual match winning efforts and said the team could not reach hundred percent level of efficiency.

Dhoni also attributed the second over bowled by Mohit Sharma to be a key factor wherein CSK conceded the momentum to Mumbai Indians who won the match by 41 runs to lift their second IPL crown.

"The second over was not good and that was the instance when we gave the momentum to Mumbai. I felt it was quite a tough wicket and if you did not give width, but the second over was the one where we gave them the landslide which we were not able to control," said Dhoni at the presentation ceremony.

"The kind of momentum they built on from that point of the game, we were not really able to come back into the game," said the keeper-batsman.

Bowling the inning's second over, pacer Mohit Sharma conceded 16 runs including two fours and a six all hit by Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma. Mumbai went on to score 202/5.

We needed a good start: Dhoni

Dhoni also rued his side's inability to get off to a flying start while chasing the daunting total.

"When chasing, it was important for us to get a good a start but in the first six we got only 30 or 35 runs. So, from that point it was difficult for us to come back into the game.

Dhoni also said the team missed the services of dashing Kiwi opener Brendon McCullum who had to leave the IPL for doing duties for the New Zealand national team.

"Losing McCullum just before the knockout stage was a big blow as he always gave us a good start at the top especially when the wicket is good. In these types of wickets he is an ideal opener," he said.

Dhoni felt that the players did not reach a high level of efficiency

Even as he praised his team for collective effort, Dhoni claimed the players could not reach their optimal level of efficiency.

"It was more of a team effort coming to the final. But I don't think we reached hundred percent efficiency level because there are quite a few cricketers in our side who haven't done as well as they should have.

"But as a team we have done really well. We have contributed as a team when needed and individuals have taken the responsibility. But what is important is, at times when the stakes are high, for the individuals to give match winning performances but that has not happened in this IPL," said Dhoni.

"The overall performance of Chennai was good but we need to go back to the drawing board and see which are the areas where we need to further improve so that we can win the IPL," added Dhoni.