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Youngsters responded well: Dravid
February 19, 2006 20:43 IST
India captain Rahul Dravid [Images] hailed the young guns in his team for the manner in which they responded to the various challenges as India fashioned a 4-1 series victory over Pakistan in the one-day international series.
"The boys responded well to challenges and the various roles they were asked to perform in the team. They also adjusted to the changes in the batting order," Dravid said after the last match on the tour which India won by eight wickets.
"The youngsters have responded brilliantly to the pressure situations and shown maturity beyond their years, keeping their spirits high throughout."
He said the team reaped rewards for working hard at their practice routines and fielding drills.
"There is a good buzz in the squad now and the boys are enjoying their cricket. We just need to develop the squad further for future challenges," he added.
Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul Haq admitted that it had been a tough series for him but complimented India for playing well.
He attributed today's loss to the abysmal fielding display of his team.
"We missed several catches and run out opportunities otherwise the result could have been different. We need to raise the standard of our fielding," the veteran batsman said.
Referring to the inexperience of his pace attack, Inzamam said, "The bowlers are young and don't know how to bowl yorkers," but added, "this series would have been a good experience for them and we will try to learn from our mistakes."
Conceding that the boys were down after the series reversal, Inzamam, however, said they were working hard to give a better account of themselves in the future matches.
Yuvraj Singh [Images], who was adjudged both the man of the match as well as the man of the series, said it was the most consistent he had been in his career and had taken his good form from the Test series onwards.
"The experience of five years in international cricket has made me mentally stronger," he said.
Yuvraj said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] was his man of the match and man of the series as he made chasing seven-eight runs an over look easy.
"I just told myself to remain there at the end."
On his part, Dhoni said he did not panic and played according to the targets set for him by the team management.