After surrendering the second Test match, India skipper MS Dhoni on Saturday said that the team management didn't handle the Shikhar Dhawan injury situation well after the opening batsman got hit during a net session just before the start of play.
Dhawan's injury forced the Indian think tank to send Virat Kohli ahead and start the day with Cheteshwar Pujara and Dhoni said that there was some 'unrest' in the dressing room.
"There was a lack of communication in our dressing room over whether Shikhar will go into bat or Virat. We did not handle that situation well," Dhoni said.
"We were having a bat at the nets, the wickets were not very good and he got hit. He didn't react too badly so we thought he was fine to bat. By the time he came in he was in a lot of pain and unable to bat. We were only able to give Virat 5-7 minutes to prepare. That created some unrest in the dressing room," he added.
The move to send Kohli ahead didn't work as Mitchell Johnson wrecked havoc and the dismissal of the India vice-captain triggered a dramatic collapse.
However Dhawan returned to the crease and tried to give his team a substantial lead by making a brilliant 81. But it was too little, given the fact that Australia had a 97-run lead.
Although India lost the Test match, Dhoni said he was satisfied with his team's performance and also praised his bowlers.
"I'm pretty happy with how we have played. We have shortcomings but I'm happy how the bowlers have shaped up. They are a talented side and they have self-belief," he said.
"For a few of them they are coming here for the first time and they haven't really succumbed to the pace factor," Dhoni added.
The third Test of the four-match series starts on December 26 and Dhoni is hoping for a turn around.
"It's a pleasure playing in front of a big crowd in Melbourne. It's a special day as well (Boxing Day) and hopefully it will be good for us," said the Indian skipper.
src:sify.com