Manchester: Sachin Tendulkar led Wednesday the cricketing fraternity in lauding the fighting spirit of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja in the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, but said Indian batting can’t always rely on the famed top-order to deliver the goods.
A visibly disappointed Tendulkar said Indian batsmen made a mountain out of a mole hill during their 240-run chase. India lost the match against New Zealand by 18 runs to crash out of the World Cup.
“I am disappointed because we should have chased 240 without any doubt. It wasn’t a big total. Yes, New Zealand got off to a dream start by picking those three wickets upfront,” Tendulkar said.
“But I feel that we can’t be all the time relying on Rohit (Sharma) to give a good start or Virat (Kohli) to come and make sure that a solid foundation is built. Players around them also will have to take more responsibility,” the batting maestro added.
In fact, at ont point of time of the match, India were completely down and out of the game after Kiwi bowlers reduced them to 92 for six. But then, Dhoni (50) and Jadeja (77) joined hands and stitched 116 runs for the seventh wicket to keep India in the contest.
“It’s not fair all the time to expect Dhoni to come and finish the game. He has done it time and again,” Tendulkar said. “Others should have batted more responsibly.”
Tendulkar also lauded New Zealand’s incisive bowling display and skipper Kane Williamson’s tactical moves.
“There came a stage where New Zealand kept things simple. Their fast bowlers didn’t try too much upfront. They just bowled in the right areas, right channels and got those wickets,” Tendulkar said. “I felt Kane Williamson’s captaincy was incredible,” he added.
Former India middle-order batsman VVS Laxman said Dhoni and Jadeja were brilliant even though they couldn’t finish the job.
“Congratulations to Kane Williamson and the @BLACKCAPS for making it to a second successive World Cup Finals. Ravindra Jadeja along with Dhoni fought brilliantly and got India so close but NZ were brilliant with the new ball and that was decisive,” Laxman tweeted.
A heartbroken Harbhajan Singh wrote on Twitter: “Feeling heartbroken for @BCCI. Congratulations to @BLACKCAPS. Well done @imjadeja.”
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir wrote on his Twitter handle: “I’m proud of the way @BCCI played at the @cricket world cup. It’s disappointing but that’s the nature of the game. Well played @BLACKCAPS on a fantastic game and all the best for the final.”
Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar wrote: “India no less a champion side in my eyes. Won 7 lost 2. Last one narrowly. Well done India!”
India Test player Ajinkya Rahane wrote: “Well played #Team India throughout the tournament! We fought hard and took it close.”
Suresh Raina said that despite being knocked out, India won millions of hearts with their performance in the World Cup.
“Tough luck, boys. Well played. You’ve won hearts with your efforts throughout the tournament. Congratulations @BLACKCAPS,” he wrote on his twitter handle.
India pacer Ishant Sharma also expressed the same sentiments as he tweeted: “Well played boys!!! One bad day, you were brilliant the entire tournament. So heads up and let’s move forward!! Jai Hind! #Team India.”
Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke was effusive in his praise for Williamson’s captaincy.
“Congratulations absolutely brilliant win. Kane Williamson take a bow, outstanding captaincy. Bad luck to team India,” he tweeted.
Ex-Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi tweeted: “Stunning result in Manchester!! I had predicted an England-India final but NZ have been brilliant, unbelievable effort to restrict this India batting for such low total. Great game for Jadeja, hard luck India.”
PTI