Guwahati, Nov 8 (IANS) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni blamed the batsmen’s inability to read the track in the first 15 minutes for their humiliating six-wicket loss in the sixth One-day International that gave Australia a 4-2 series win here Sunday.
Dhoni’s decision to bat first back-fired after the top-order failed to negotiate the new ball and they lost seven wickets for just 75 runs by the 31st over. But Ravindra Jadeja (57) and Praveen Kumar (54 not out) hit defiant half-centuries to pull India out from a disastrous 27 for five to 170 all out in 48 overs.

“The first half an hour was important, and the first 15 minutes did all the damage today. They did bowl well. There was swing there and they exploited it well,” said Dhoni.

“The way we lost in Mohali and Nagpur, as a team you don’t want to lose like that. But full credit to Australia, they took the games away,” he added.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said that it was the most satisfying series win for him. It was a great effort from the Australian team in the series where they have struggled with injuries and lost five players during the first four matches.

“Perhaps the most satisfying series win I have been involved in. To get 11 players on the field has been a challenge in some of the games. Our fielding has been outstanding, in a couple of close games it has been the difference,” he said.

Man of the Match Doug Bollinger, who picked up five for 35, said that it has been a great learning experience for him.

“I am real happy today. It all came together in what has been a fantastic tournament. I just went there and kept things simple. This tour has been a good learning experience on different kinds of wickets and conditions,” he said.