| Player: | MS Dhoni, DL Vettori |
| Event: | ICC World Twenty20 2009 |
DateLine: 2nd June 2009
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni refused to read too much into India's nine-run defeat in the warm-up match with New Zealand. The skipper said that his side has back-up plans up its sleeves.
Chasing 171 to win, MSD's side seemed cruising to a victory before New Zealand's immaculate bowling at death crushed India's hopes.
Dhoni though was unperturbed and preferred to look at the positives saying he was not unduly worried about the loss.
"Obviously we had some targets. A couple of batsmen got really good starts. Of course during the game we lost wickets at crucial times but we wanted to try a few things, especially in bowling and all of that worked for us," he explained.
"Quite disappointed with the defeat but we have back-up plans and so I'm not really worried," he said. "Besides, we missed quite a few key players."
Dhoni was particularly happy about Ishant Sharma, who returned to form with a four-wicket haul.
"I think it would give him great deal of confidence. He is a bowler who should be bowling at the start and also in the end. In between he came and got us those crucial wickets," Dhoni said.
Laid low by food poisoning, Yuvraj Singh didn't play on Monday, while Virender Sehwag also skipped the match due to fitness reasons.
Dhoni assured that they would all regain fitness before India's next warm-up match against Pakistan on Wednesday.
"A couple of guys had food poisoning but I'm sure everyone will be fine before our next warm-up game," he added.
Meanwhile, Daniel Vettori was overjoyed after the win and attributed it to team effort.
"It was a very good performance. Rohit (Sharma) and (Suresh) Raina were destructive and to come back from there, I must say I'm reasonably happy.
"I think we managed our innings well," he added.