There are two ways of looking at the disappointing result in Bangalore. We controlled the game for 85 overs, but lost out in the last 15. The other way is to look at how we got a great score on the board.
The flipside was you could sit back and admire Yusuf Pathan play one of the most impressive innings in one-day cricket.
In some cases we are batting well like at Bangalore. In some other cases, we had some good bowling efforts. If we look to bring all facets of the game into play, we can improve.
We tried to execute our plans, but they have come unstuck. It is not as much as about going back to the drawing board as it is about asking the guys to pick themselves up and show the ability to which they can perform. Maybe the last day of the tour is something which brings us good news.
One positive aspect of the last two games has been the batting of James Franklin. He is primarily a batsman now and he has shown what he can bring to the squad. James' bowling is not what it used to be, but he can still be a useful contributor with the ball.
The other thing is that in Bangalore our batting order showed the right intent and aggression with which one must play one-day cricket. The top six were outstanding. It is the bowling which let us down.
{{/usCountry}}The other thing is that in Bangalore our batting order showed the right intent and aggression with which one must play one-day cricket. The top six were outstanding. It is the bowling which let us down.
{{/usCountry}}Yusuf showed what intent can do. He produced a fantastic innings. The important aspect was that he may have been striking the ball well, but to take the team to victory is what counts and that is what he did.
The Yusuf innings and the series have been good for us. We have admired some of the batsmanship from India. That is also part of the learning process. Hopefully, we learn from it and apply it against Pakistan.
But before that we have one last game in Chennai. If we can start winning from here, there will be nothing better than that.
(TCM)