We could have chased down 296: Dhoni

Anything close to 300-run mark is always tough to chase down but India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni backed his batsmen to overhaul the 296-run target set by Australia in the fourth ODI which was called off due to rain here today.
Dhoni said all that his side would have needed was a good start to chase down the target after Australia made 295 for eight after being asked to bat at the JSCA Stadium.
"It depended on the first 15 overs, on the start we get. If we didn't lose too many wickets the pitch would have become better to bat on," he said after the match was washed out.

India were 27 for no loss in 4.1 overs when heavens opened up for the second time during the match. The match was stopped at 6.18 pm because of light drizzle which later intensified, making the ground unplayable.
The match was called off after the umpires found out that the ground was too water logged to continue the proceedings.
"The weather is not in our control. To some extent you are a bit disappointed, but whatever result it was we have to accept it. We wouldn't have minded a 20 over game with the start we had," Dhoni said.

The Indian skipper was full of praise for fast bowler Mohammed Shami (3/42) who impressed with his deceptive bowling.

"He (Shami) is deceptive. He bowls quicker than you think. What was important was he bowled full and the wickets he got, he was hitting the bails," Dhoni said.
"In the death he was getting the yorkers in pretty consistently. I know they will come back strong."
India's fielding was not upto the mark today as they dropped as many as six catches, but Dhoni backed his butterfingered fielders to come back strongly in the next match.
"At times it happens, some of the stadiums it is difficult to sight the ball," he said.