Kolkata, December 10: Good news! Team India, down in the dumps after losing back-to-back Tests in their backyard, have identified their flaws. But, then, there is nothing new in their job description from here that they didn't know at the start of the four-Test series.
Asked if this was the lowest phase for the team, and also for him as the skipper, Dhoni responded, "I think the England and Australia series, because we were not able to compete. We know what the faults are over here and we should be able to rectify those."
He put the blame squarely on the batsmen.
"The batsmen will have to take up the responsibility. It was a very good wicket to bat on here. Of course their bowlers will send down a few good deliveries that we need to keep out, but most of us in the top seven will have to score at the same time. If you don't score runs in the first innings and the opponents score, you will find yourself under pressure," he said.
"Batsmen have to make sure if they get a start, they make it big."
On the bowling, he said "overall, they are doing well" before going on to be more specific.
"The spinners have done a good job, a bit more contribution from the fast bowlers would really help the side," he said. "Their (England's) spinners looked to bowl in one area, play with the patience of the batsman. If we can be a bit more patient and can bat for a few long sessions, their bowlers will get tired and there'll be more opportunity to score."
Defending coach Duncan Fletcher, Dhoni reminded that 'once you cross the rope, you're on your own'. "That's when you have to perform, that's where we're lacking now. Ultimately, it's about the 11 players who turn up on the field."
Is he still the best person to lead India? "The selectors are here to decide," was the curt reply.
When someone asked how difficult it would be to pick themselves up and try to level the series, the skipper was more forthcoming.
"As a leader, this is a challenge that has been thrown towards me. It's always good to lead a side when everybody is doing well, that's when you don't need a leader," he remarked after saying that "experience will count" when it came to picking themselves up after the two defeats.
"Leading a side is all about leading when the team is not doing well. You try to gel the team together, back the youngsters, back the senior guys, and try to move in the right direction... The easiest thing for me to say right now is, 'I quit captaincy' and be a part of the side. But that's like running away from responsibility. Of course, there are others like the BCCI officials who will want to look into that but my responsibility is to get the team together and be prepared for the next Test match."
He conceded that the transition from the 'Fab Four' era is proving a difficult task.
"The reason is that the experienced guys who were part of the side when the legends were around will feel they have to do exceptionally well even as the youngsters want to perform to be permanent members of the side. It's a situation where everybody is feeling a bit of pressure. We will have to get rid of this and back each other well. But, then, as an individual you have to back yourself really well. Self-belief is very important."
Does he expect a turning track for the final Test in Nagpur? "From here we really don't know what's there in Nagpur, but we've played on wickets in Nagpur that turned and those that didn't."
Well left, skipper!
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