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Something "funny and fishy" about dropped catches: Dhoni

December 12, 2009 22:40 IST

India captain M S Dhoni was clearly unhappy with the sloppy fielding by his side for the second consecutive game in Mohali but said there was "something funny and fishy" in Saturday's T20 International as Sri Lanka were also not at their best in that department of the game.

"Had we taken those catches the Sri Lankan scoreboard would have been different. We would not have chased down 200-plus, its a big total," Dhoni said after India spank Sri Lanka by six wickets in the second and final Twenty20 International to level the T20 series 1-1.

"There is something funny and fishy. Sri Lanka also dropped catches, missed run out chances. May be the crowd, ground or the light any cricketer at this level should have taken those catches," he added.

Dhoni said the difference between the Indian performance in Nagpur and in Mohali was that every batsman found the groove soon after one was out.

"It was a good batting tract but the important thing was that we got a good start with Virender Sehwag giving us the platform. But after that those coming in found the groove. When Gambhir was out I could keep the pace and when Sehwag was out Yuvraj scored at a brisk pace," said the Indian captain.

He said if India are to become world champions again in T20 and ODIs, bowling and fielding will have to be improved.

"We need to improve in bowling, not merely in T20 but in ODIs also. Because chasing 200-plus in T20 is not ideal. The same in ODIs. We have the firepower in batting."

Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara conceded his side did not take the chances that came their way but gave credit to the Indian batsmen for their fine show. 

"200-plus was a big score. I thought 206 was a winning total. But the dropped catches and run out misses we did not take our chances. But played really well. Virender Sehwag started well and then Dhoni and Yuvraj finished the game," he said.

He thought Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando bowled well but as the Indians gradually took the game away from them. 

"Malinga and Fernando bowled well. We did well in the first six overs but after that it was more of a containment.

Moreover we did not take the chances," rued the visiting captain. 

Birthday boy and man of the match Yuvraj Singh termed Saturday's innings of 60 not out from just 25 balls as the best innings under India colours.

"I have not done well here so today's innings is the best. I am happy that I could do well in front of my home crowd. The tract was good better than in Nagpur," said Yuvraj, who belongs to nearby Chandigarh. 

"I played to my strength today playing straight most of the time," added Yuvraj who turns 28 on Saturday. 

Asked about any birthday celebrations later in the night, Yuvraj quipped "no party tonight".

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