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Mohd Azharuddin
I guess it would be difficult for me to rationalise the defeat today, the fourth consecutive one in this series. It's quite some time since I have seen an Indian side field so poorly in a match. I think it was one of our worst outcricket in recent years.
I also got into the groove early today and managed to get the first century for India here. I thought we did particularly well in the slog overs getting more than 40 runs in the last three overs. Sunil Joshi's cameo knock and his partnership with Agarkar really helped us set a challenging target. Often these 20-30 odd runs make a big difference and I'm glad we got it.
It was difficult to sit through our fielding. Our movements on the field were lethargic. We could not stop simple balls and our throwing was just too bad. Not once in this tournament, I think, we have managed to get a run-out with a direct hit. If one fields that bad, I think not even a total of 350 is good enough to defend. The only saving grace for us was Joshi's bowling. While most of ourbowlers faltered again, Sunil stuck to his job and checked the flow of runs. It's always good to have utility cricketers like him around, especially in the one-dayers.
In the end the team that played better deserved to win and took home the cup. My big regret is that we let them do that easily. I wish we had made a fight of it and redeemed ourselves in the eyes of our millions of fans.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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