M.S. Dhoni credited V.V.S. Laxman and India's bowlers for the series-evening victory here in Kingsmead, but added that it wasn't a path-breaking win, merely the continuation of a process.
“Laxman's 90-odd runs really mattered in the end,” said Dhoni. “You can always count on him. Especially when you see he hasn't scored for two or three innings, you know something special is coming. It was a special innings because it was the sort of wicket where it was difficult to convince yourself that you have settled.”
Dhoni said the conditions had helped India's bowlers. “One of the worries before this Test was whether we would be able to get 20 wickets,” he said. “Our bowlers are swing-bowlers, and the conditions here really helped them. They also performed really well.”
The Indian captain said the team was used to playing with its back to the wall — this experience had helped. “More often than not we are 1-0 down, and so we are used to it,” he said. “If you see the Test team, there is a lot of experience. A lot of them have played for 10-15 years.
“This experience has really counted for us. But it's not just about one victory. Then what about we have been doing in the last few years? All those wins have an impact on the confidence and morale of the side.”
Sreesanth's antics
Asked about Sreesanth's efforts and antics, Dhoni said, “It's important to keep him in control. It's good for everybody, us, the opposition, the umpires, the spectators. All I said to him, was to keep the time he takes to bowl an over down, not take six or seven minutes.”
South African captain Graeme Smith said his side surrendered the match when it was bowled out for 131 in the first innings. “We probably lost the match on day two,” he said. “It wasn't a 131 wicket. There were some unlucky dismissals and India bowled. But it's difficult to catch up after getting 131.”
Smith complimented the Kingsmead wicket, saying that it provided an even contest between bat and ball. He denied, however, that leaving grass on the surface had backfired. “It was a good wicket for Test cricket,” he said. “We've never asked for green wickets. All we wanted was pace and bounce, which we are used to.
“And it's not like India's batting set the house on fire, but they did enough, which is what is needed to win Test matches. They did better than us in the key moments.”
