
Ishant responded well to getting new ball: Dhoni
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said young fast bowler Ishant Sharma's impressive performance in the Test series was the reason behind throwing the new ball to him, a strategy which resulted in the five-wicket win over Australia in the triseries one-dayer in on Sunday.
A delighted Dhoni was satisfied that the Delhi speedster rose to the occasion and grabbed the chance with both hands.
"He was the pick of the bowlers in the Test series. He was impressive, so I gave the new ball to him and he responded well," Dhoni said after the match.
"The pitch was on the slower side. So we thought to use Irfan (Pathan) later and he was good in the middle overs," Dhoni added.
Dhoni, who played a crucial knock of 17 not out and stitched a 58-run match winning partnership with Rohit Sharma (39 not out), said that after losing five wickets for 102 they waited for the part-time bowlers to come on.
"We were waiting for the part-timers to come. The kind of conditions we were in, we thought our chance would come and we should wait for the right moment," he said.
Dhoni said the improving outfields in India were the reason behind the rising fielding standard of his side.
"When I was 19 or 20, the grounds were not up to the mark. But now they are better. It is making a difference and the fielding standard has gone up," he said.
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting blamed his team's uncharacteristically poor batting for the defeat. "Our batting was poor. There was good pace and bounce and India bowled pretty well," he said.
Ponting said his team tried to stick to the gameplan, but it was not a good enough performance. After suffering his first defeat of the tri-series, Ponting said the tournament is nicely poised now. "It's shaping up well. The next couple of games is going to be important," he said.
Delighted after winning his first ODI man of the match award, Ishant said he was not overawed by the reputation of his opponents.
"I was not thinking about their strengths. Rather I was thinking about my strengths... I tried to bowl the right line and length and it helped," he said.
Asked how he came back after being hit for 18 runs in an over, Ishant said," Sachin bhai came to me and said do not think too much and bowl normally."
Ishant said he was enjoying his bowling as he was now in perfect rhythm. "The rhythm is important. That's how I could bowl with the new ball and the rhythm has helped me to get over the problem of no-balls."
The 19-year-old acknowledged the role of the senior players and trainer Gregory King in the increase in his speed and improved performance.
"When I came to Australia I just thought I would do my best and give my 100 per cent. I have become more consistent and the seniors helped me. They told me about the nature of the wickets.
"Credit also goes to trainer Greg King for increase in my speed," he said.

Washington Sundar left stranded on 96* as India bowled out for 365

Strauss says England player's performance in 4th Test was 'painful to watch'
- Former England skipper Andrew Strauss wasn't happy with his performance as he said that the player is lacking confidence on the biggest stage of all.

'Question of ego that a small kid played reverse sweep against such big bowler'
- India vs England: In the first ball of the 83rd over of the Indian innings, Pant played the reverse sweep off Anderson that flew over the slips and to the boundary on Day 2.

IND vs ENG, day 3 live: England 6/0 at lunch, trail by 154 runs

Australia's Finch relishing fans return for T20 decider

Sri Lanka beats West Indies by 43 runs to level T20 series
- Defending a moderate total of 160-6, Wanindudu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya and Danushka Gunathilaka took eight wickets, bowling out the West Indies for 117 in 18.4 overs.

Why do we give importance to foreign players: Gavaskar slams pitch critics
- Gavaskar’s comments came in the backdrop of widespread criticism of Indian pitches from a section of former England cricketers after India beat them comprehensively in the second and third Test to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

110 runs in 10.1 overs: Sehwag, Sachin turn back the clock in Road Safety Series
- Sehwag hit five sixes and 10 fours in his unbeaten knock of 80 off just 35 balls. The former India opener took 19 runs off the first over off Bangladesh Legends' Mohammad Rafique to set the tone for the chase.

'A batsman who seems extremely insecure': Manjrekar not happy with India batter
- Manjrekar’s comments came after India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was out for another low score on Day 2 of the India-England fourth Test in Ahmedabad.

'Pant is in the side to do what he does, can take games away from opposition'

Cheteshwar Pujara in a left-arm spin after Jack Leach gets him again

England greats in awe of Pant, Twitter flooded with congratulatory posts
- The likes of Nasser Hussain, Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell took to Twitter to admire Rishabh Pant’s century against England on Day 2 of the 4th Test on Friday.

SL's Dasun Shanaka cleared to travel to Windies, will join during ODI series

Rishabh Pant, pauses and then purrs for a glorious century
