India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hailed his bowlers after the visitors won by one-run against South Africa in the second One-day International and levelled the five-match series 1-1 at the Wanderers here Stadurday.
“It’s a big win for us, and a terrific show by the bowlers. Munaf (Patel) has been bowling really well in the last 10-15 one-dayers and besides that, Harbhajan’s role too was crucial,” Dhoni said.
Munaf Patel was the Man of the Match with figures of four for 29 while Harbhajan Singh did the trick in the middle overs bowling miserly at 32 for one from 10 overs.
“When Harbhajan came on to bowl they decided not to take on his bowling and the lost the momentum there. So, his role was very crucial,” Dhoni added.
Asked about Yuvraj Singh’s innings, Dhoni said, “Yuvraj is our main batsman in the middle order. It’s important for him to get off to a good start and it’s always a treat to watch him once he gets his eye in.”
Yuvraj top-scored with 53 for India with a fluent half century and was involved in a crucial 83-run partnership for the fourth wicket with his skipper. But his dismissal triggered a collapse from which India could never recover.
“It was a very good wicket and I think we were 40-45 runs short. We wanted to take the powerplay just before Yuvraj got out and then, when we took it, Raina got out. But the openers got off to a sound start,” Dhoni said.