London: India captain MS Dhoni termed the 95-run win over England, their first Test victory at Lord’s in nearly three decades, a “memorable” one and said the visitors had learnt from their disastrous 2011 tour.
“It was a memorable win for us because not many players have played Test cricket in England. But their approach was brilliant, it was a fantastic performance,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“I think we learnt from the 2011 series that it is important to stay in the game till the third day, because then our spinners come into the game. That was something that was needed, but we couldn’t do it in 2011,” he said.
India last won a Test match here 28 years ago when Kapil Dev’s team won by five wickets in 1986.
The India skipper had special praise for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and lanky speedster Ishant, who grabbed a career-best seven for 74, to bowl out England for 223 in pursuit of a competitive victory target of 319.
“Jadeja has to play that kind of game. I think the more Test cricket he plays, the more he will become a proper Test batsman. I think his technique is very good, but he is someone who doubts himself more than most,” Dhoni said.
“I think we have been cribbing about the lack of quick bowling all-rounder, but we have to use the resources we have. That last over before lunch, Ishant didn’t want to bowl short, I just told him he has to and turned away. It was a fantastic performance,” he added. (PTI)
