MS Dhoni blames pitch for T20 loss to New Zealand

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today blamed the change in behaviour of the Chepauk strip in the second half as the reason for home team's one-run loss to New Zealand in the second T20 International here today.

"The wicket slowed down and it was difficult to hit. It's among the bigger grounds. It was holding up not like all the balls have same bounce. In the end it became quite difficult.

But we should have won this game," Dhoni, who scored a sedate 23-ball-22 said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"Our worry was how the wicket would behave in the second half. This is one area where we were expecting the wicket to be the same. After the 10th or 12th over, it got tough. Had it remained the way it was in the first half, we would have fancied our chances," he said.

Dhoni feels that form of his batsmen especially Virat Kohli has been a big positive for India with an eye on the World T20 starting next week in Sri Lanka.

Chasing a target of 168, the trio of Virat Kohli (70), Suresh Raina (27) and comeback man Yuvraj Singh (34) tried to shift the momentum in favour of the hosts but in the end, failed to avoid a one-run defeat against New Zealand in the second and final Twenty20 international here on Tuesday night.

"Virat gave us a very good start. After that, Raina and Yuvraj also batted really well. A lot of positive for us before the start of the World Cup," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

Dhoni said to have few games in the kitty before the World Cup will help them in their quest for second title triumph.

"To play a few games before getting into the World Cup is very important. Two more games in Sri Lanka... that means we will get into the groove," he said.

... contd.

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