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Toss played a crucial role, says Dhoni
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August 28, 2008 00:51 IST

After thrashing Sri Lanka [Images] by 46 runs in the fourth cricket one-dayer in Colomo on Wednesday, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] said the toss played a crucial role in the win as the wicket gave enough assistance to the spinners in the second half of the match.

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Dhoni felt it was the bonhomie and sense of responsibility among the players that eventually helped his side to win the crucial match here. 

"It was a good toss to win, there was something in the wicket for the spinners and they got a lot of turn. Even the pacers did well," Dhoni said.

"All the member of the team backed each other and took up responsibility when it was required and this actually helped the team," he added.

The Indian skipper, however, was disappointed to have got out at a crucial moment and rued that they might have felt short by 25 runs.

"Suresh batted beautifully, we were having a good partnership but we got out at crucial moments and did not score as much as we would have wanted in the last 10 overs. I think we should have scored atleast 25 runs more," said Dhoni, who shared a 143-run partnership with Suresh Raina.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene [Images] also agreed with his Indian counterpart and said the toss put the visitors on an advantageous position.

He also added that it was the lack of partnership on the part of Lankan batsmen which at last cooked their goose. 

"The toss proved crucial, it put the Indians in an advantageous position but I should say we made too many mistake along the way. There was lack of consistent partnership from the batters and that did not help the team at all," Jayawardene said.

However, the Lankan skipper said that they would try to put up a better show in the next match.

"We hope to put up a good show in the next match. We need to avoid committing these silly mistakes," he said.

Attributing his 76-run innings to his captain and bowling coach Venketesh Prasad, man-of-the-match Raina said he was looking forward to win the series 4-1.

"Our blowers bowled brilliantly and We would like to win the series 4-1. Personally, I am very thankful to Dhoni and Venkatesh Prasad for their constant encouragement which helped me to put up a big score," he said.



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