Kohli the difference between the sides: Malik

Malik laments batting inferiority; Dhoni keeps it real after 11-0

Shoaib Malik felt Virat Kohli was the difference between the two sides © Getty

As India's unprecedented record over Pakistan in big events continued on Saturday (March 19) in the World Twenty20, Shoaib Malik reckoned it was his team's inability to bat better on a raging turner at the Eden Gardens that denied them the opportunity to break an elusive duck.
"I think there are a few areas where we need to improve, specially our batting. Even though it was a tough pitch to bat on, I believe we could've posted a better target. Credit to Indian team for the way they played on difficult pitch," Malik said, in the post-match press conference.
On a wicket that offered generous amount of grip and turn, Pakistan's top-order was found wanting. Having won both their previous fixtures at the Eden Gardens in the last five days in relatively easier conditions, Pakistan were perhaps, thrown off-guard by the erratic behaviour of the track. After Ashwin sowed some early seeds of doubt in the minds of the batsmen, Pakistan continued to struggle against spinners, managed just 28 runs off the five overs of powerplay and ended up with only 118 in 18 overs, a target too little for Virat Kohli and the rest of the Indian line-up.
"I feel we were not really expecting this kind of pitch. We felt we would get a wicket similar to the one used in the game against Bangladesh. Obviously weather is not in your control. We couldn't win the toss too, but that's not in your hands. There is one area to improve and that is our batting.
"Our total wasn't enough to defend against such a great batting line-up. Credit to Virat Kohli for his innings. He was the only difference between the two teams," Malik opined.

Dhoni was all praise for his team's show of strong character to bounce back after the defeat to New Zealand

While Pakistan were left to rue their inability to adjust to erratic conditions, the Indian camp enjoyed yet another victory over their arch-rivals. Even as this win adds to India's big-tournament invincibility against Pakistan, Dhoni called for a reality check.
"If you are proud of the fact that we've won 11-0 against them, we also need to know that reality is that we will lose someday. Whether that's today, 10 years later, 20 years later or 50 years later. It can't be that we will always keep winning.
"It's something to be proud of, but we have to put in as much efforts each time. If there is pressure on them for a 11-0 record, then there is pressure on us for 11-0 too," he said.
The Indian skipper preferred to look at the bigger picture of their first two points of the tournament and lauded his players for the show of strong character.
"Credit goes to players and support staff. We all know performances like those (against New Zealand) you don't want to do. To have a very bad game or very bad series and come back strong shows the kind of character that the boys have.
"And I feel it is very important to back them and have confidence in them that they will bounce back and come back strong," Dhoni said.