We were unfortunate not to get Duminy out - MS Dhoni

Indian limited overs captain MS Dhoni reckons that his side was unlucky not to have dismissed JP Duminy in the first Twenty20 International in Dharamsala on Friday.

In the 17th over, when South Africa needed 43 runs off 23 balls, Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled a fuller delivery that struck Duminy right in front of the middle and off stump. 

Inspite of a loud appeal the umpire remained unmoved and eventually Duminy played a superlative knock to take South Africa past the finish line.

Reflecting on that moment in the game, Dhoni observed that such close calls often put pressure on the bowling side.

"If decisions don't go in your favour that also puts pressure.

“I thought we were unfortunate not to get Duminy initially and then once he was set, the game was evenly poised.

“That's how cricket is, you don't get everything in your favour.”

Nevertheless, Dhoni admitted that the South African batsmen kept the momentum flowing, which aided them in a big chase.

“But I felt they also batted well, kept the momentum going which is important when you're chasing 200 runs."

India scored 199 runs in their quota of 20 overs, largely assisted by Rohit Sharma’s maiden T20I hundred.

However, towards the end of their innings, India failed to push on further as South Africa began to pull things back.

Dhoni felt that they had a par total on the board, but with the conditions in Dharmasala, the bowlers had to be at their best to win the game.

"We had something you can say was close to par, maybe just above par.

“If you see the scenario, there was dew, the ground is too big and at this altitude the ball does travel.

“To win, you had to bowl well.” 

Though India conceded 67 runs in the powerplay, they sort of made amends when they picked up three quick wickets between the eighth and the 11th overs.

However India failed to pick any more wickets after that as Duminy and Farhaan Behardien put on a 105 run unbeaten stand, which sealed the fate of the game.

Dhoni acknowledged that India conceded too many runs in short bursts, which put a lot of pressure towards the death.

“There were phases in the game where we went for too many runs.

“If you are giving away too many runs in eight or nine deliveries that puts a lot of pressure on the bowlers.

“In an over, if you give anything over 20 (runs), it puts a lot of pressure.

“It eases a lot of pressure when you are chasing.” 

The second T20I of the three-match series will get underway on the 5th October in Cuttack, with India facing a must win scenario to stay alive.

© Cricket World 2015