Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

'We need to take wickets to win in these conditions'

March 21, 2011 11:33 IST

India's 80-run win over West Indies in their final Group B match of the ICC World Cup at the MA Chidambaram stadium on Sunday not only booked them a quarter-final date with three-time defending champions Australia but also ensured they go into that game on a winning note.

Coming close on the heels of the demoralizing defeat against South Africa at Nagpur, India's win against the Caribbean team, coupled with Australia's defeat at the hands of Pakistan the previous day, means Dhoni's men will go into that last eight clash high on confidence.

On Sunday, having been restricted to 268, India was at the receiving end when their opponents were cruising at 154 for two at one stage.

Yuvraj SinghHowever, an inspired effort by the Indian bowlers meant the last eight Caribbean wickets fell for the addition of just 34 runs.

"We needed to take wickets. Else a total of around 270 could have been chased on this ground," admitted man-of-the-match Yuvraj Singh, who backed up his entertaining 113 with two for 18 with the ball.

"We have got to believe that your bowlers will get you the wickets," he added.

Asked what he felt was the turning point of the match, Yuvi's reply was immediate. 

"Zak (Zaheer Khan) got a wicket (Devon Smith) and Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) got Kieron Pollard out soon after," explained Yuvraj.

"I think that was the turning point. Then I also chipped in with a couple of wickets," he added.

Asked if the team was worried about not being able to bat out their full quota of 50 overs, Yuvraj was a tad sarcastic.

"It doesn't matter," he said.

"We won the game. "It would have been an issue if we hadn't," he added.

Meanwhile, Darren Sammy was upset that his team had let go of yet another opportunity.

"It's disappointing," he admitted. "We created yet another opportunity but couldn't capitalize.

"After being in a winning position, we let it slip again," the Windies skipper added.

Bikash Mohapatra in Chennai