On the last ball, the thinking was right but execution was not: MS Dhoni

India had ticked all the boxes right in the game until the last ball and looked pretty comfortable to win and if not a win a tie was a definite outcome in everyone’s mind which would then result in a super over. With skipper MS Dhoni on the strike they just needed to score 2 runs to win it but he couldn’t hit the slower one from Dwayne Bravo clean and it lobbed in the air to Marlon Samuels at short third man.

The game ended in a huge disappointment for KL Rahul at the other end who was unbeaten on 110. But it proved worth every dollar for the crowd present at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill.

Dhoni failed to finish the game but wasn’t really disappointed in the post match presentation as he said that in his view it was a really good game and was pleased with the effort of his batsmen. He also mentioned that he had figured out what he wanted to do on the last ball but couldn’t get it right and that is what proved to be the difference.

MS Dhoni said: “I think it was an amazing game. I could not have expected anything more from the batting unit. The last ball, the thinking was right but execution was not. When it came to bowling, the last 8 overs were good. That was the main thing (talking about the Indian run-rate during the chase), if you are too much behind, the run-rate starts going beyond 15. What really helps in that scenario is that as the lower order comes to bat, you are still in the chase. Fantastic (talking about the crowd), wherever we go, we have our fans. The result in our favour would have been perfect.”

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The man of the moment was the Champion DJ Bravo who held his nerve and had the edge over the best finisher of the game. Following the match Dwayne Bravo said: “Nine (eight) runs to go, I said nothing to lose. In a situation like this I really like to test my skills, I really enjoy it. Really happy to come out on top. I had one chance against MS, I had to make sure that I don’t concede a boundary off the first ball. Once they don’t get boundaries, the pressure goes on them. I used my two important balls, the slower ball and yorker to good effect. The chat (with Pollard before the last ball) was knowing MS, I would know he would play the safer shot and try to take the game to the Super Over. I knew he was going to target mid-wicket, so I put in the short mid-wicket. I actually didn’t want to bowl a slower ball, but I saw Dhoni move closer and that is when I decided to bowl the slower one at the last moment. The crowd was fantastic, packed house. Even though it is filled with Indian fans, we got a lot of support. West Indians are very popular in India and we love playing against them.”

West Indies were led by a new skipper in this game and what better way to start the journey than a nail biting victory. He was glad with the way things panned out. Carlos Brathwaite said: “Yeah, when I spoke to Dwayne, he told me he was gonna bowl a slower ball. I am backing you, but in my head I am thinking, ‘slower ball?’. Yeah, Bravo is a champion. He always steps up. Never shies away from the challenge. Kudos to the curator for preparing such a wicket. Even the outfield is brilliant as well. Lewis was told at the last moment that he was in the team. It was a tremendous effort. If we talk about criticism myself and the lower order did not finish the game. We could have got to 250-60 Thanks to the USA for support. We are here for some exciting cricket. We never go easy, thankfully we came on top this time.”