I've never seen Aussies so bad, says Dhoni

MOHALI, India - India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said he had never seen Australia struggle so badly after their thumping 320-run defeat in the second Test here.

By (AFP)

Published: Tue 21 Oct 2008, 6:20 PM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 11:07 AM

Dhoni, named man of the match for his scores of 92 and 68 and fine wicketkeeping, said he could not believe the scoreboard at times.

‘I have never seen anything like that,’ said Dhoni.

‘It is not every day that you see an Australian side struggling. When they were 22 after 13 overs in the first innings, I asked Rahul (Dravid) to look at the scoreboard.

‘I told him I don't think we will be able to see Aussies score at just two-odd runs an over again.’

India enjoyed their biggest ever Test victory after piling on 469 in their first innings and bowling out the visitors for 268.

They batted aggressively in the second to set a huge victory target of 516, with Australia managing only 195 in reply.

Dhoni was also all praise for his bowlers who troubled the Australian batsmen with their consistent line and length.

‘We had four bowlers and we just used four bowlers. That was brilliant, they all shared the responsibility,’ he said.

‘Even a debutant like Amit Mishra bowled so well. His five wickets in Australia's first innings were terrific, he bowled really well.’

But Dhoni said India's performance here would count for little when they go into the third Test in New Delhi beginning on October 29.

‘The big win that we've had here will play a bit on our minds but once we go for toss, we will have to start again from scratch. It will be a new game and everything else will count little,’ he said.

Dhoni, who led the hosts after Anil Kumble pulled out with a shoulder injury, also warned of a backlash from the visitors in the four-Test series.

‘They have lost just one game, they are still the number one side in the world. They have some very talented players in the squad and we expect them to come back strongly in the series.

‘That is what you expect from the Australian team. That is what they are all about.’