India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that his mistake in calling Gautam Gambhir for a quick run cost his team a win against Sri Lanka in the fifth match of the tri-series here Tuesday. The match ended in a tie, the first between the two countries.
India were in the driving seat at 178/4 in the 40th over when they lost Gambhir (91). Dhoni, who remained unbeaten on 58, called the left-hander for a single but sent him back when he saw Nuwan Kulasekra pick up the ball, Gambhir rushed back but was still short of his crease.
"A wrong call cost us the game. I was wrong in calling Gautam for a single and he was run out," Dhoni told reporters.
India go top of the table with ten points in the tri-series having played one game more than Australia, who are on nine points.
India's captain, who is known for keeping his calm in the adverse situations, said that he too felt the nerves with India requiring nine runs off the last over bowled by Lasith Malinga.
"I looked to stay till the end. If you have a decent partnership you can stick it out. Malinga is very difficult to hit so we were looking to target Mathews. (The last hit) was a bit difficult here, but in India that would have been two bounces and four. When you need 10 or 12 in the last over your heart rate will always be up."
Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawerdene praised Dhoni for a stellar innings under pressure. He, however, lamented his side's fielding display.
"When you have MS batting through it was always going to be tough. But 230 probably wasn't enough. We dropped catches and missed run-outs. You always back Malinga to do the job."
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