Dhoni rues 'a couple of bad decisions'

Cricket365
December 31, 2013

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni lamented two incorrect umpiring decisions, after India slipped to a heavy defeat – and one-nil series loss – to South Africa on day five of the final Test match at Kingsmead in Durban on Monday.

Resuming on 68 for two overnight, the tourists boasted high hopes of posting a formidable second-innings lead, but instead fell to 223 all out, after which the Proteas reached a modest 58-run target with all 10 wickets in hand.

The result, however, might have read considerably differently – had batsman Virat Kohli not been adjudged caught behind to a delivery that television replays revealed brushed his shoulder.

Defiant tail-ender Zaheer Khan, too, was the subject of a mistaken lbw dismissal. With the Decision Review System not used for this two-match series, replays suggested spinner Robin Peterson's delivery was going to miss the leg-stump.

"The first session was crucial, but there were a couple of bad decisions, tough decisions and some bad shots. We were on the receiving end of those, which did not help," said Dhoni.

"Overall, though, it was a good tour for us. Not many had played outside the sub-continent. They played very well. We did not have a luxury of an all-rounder but the bowlers did well. We bowled close to 100 overs all the time."

The fixture also marked the 166th and final Test match of veteran Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis' career. Kallis announced his retirement the longest format of the game last week, but will remain available for the limited-overs team ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

"I think Kallis has been a fantastic cricketer. He never talks much on the field. We played a long Test together in Chennai in 2010, I remember. He just moved from the slip cordon and kept staring," added Dhoni.

"That really amused me. He can bowl at 130 kilometres per hour – and he has been a real luxury for South Africa. I think life has just started for him. He will always have a big impact on the game."