Lessons from 2011 helped us: Dhoni


London, July 21 (IANS): India skipper Mahahendra Singh Dhoni said the lessons learnt from the 0-4 thrashing in the 2011 series helped his team in achieving a historic 95-run win against England in the second Test at the Lord's after 28 years here Monday.

Dhoni said that in 2011 the team learned that it was important to stay in the match till the third day and it proved crucial this time around.

"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 in 2011," said Dhoni.

The India captain said it was a memorable win for the young side since for most of the players it is their maiden tour to England.

"Memorable win for us, not many players have played Test cricket in England, their approach was brilliant, it was a fantastic performance. It was a crucial toss, there was something for the fast bowlers, I think the openers and No. 3, it was not bowled to them, they made the England bowlers bowl to them, you want the opposition to bowl more than 90 overs, because then even when the tailenders come (it becomes easy), the whole batting department is doing really well," he said.

Dhoni was also impressed with Ravindra Jadeja's valuable 68 in the second innings.

"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. I think we have been cribbing about the lack of quick bowling all-rounder, but we have to use the resources we have," he said.

The India captain was highly impressed with the way his team came back in at the stroke of lunch with a crucial breakthrough after Moeen Ali and Joe root frustrated them in the morning session.

The 101-run stand for the fifth wicket between Root and Moeen helped England to recover from a precarious 72 for four but at the stroke of lunch Ishant struck to remove Moeen and tilt the scales in India's favour. Moeen was completely taken aback by a short pitched delivery that rose sharply and he took his eyes off and gloved it to Cheteshwar Pujara at short-leg.

"First session today showed us that we had to be at our best, at that point what happens is you start doubting yourself. 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 said.

  

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