Nottingham, Aug 1: Losing the second Test match to England by a huge margin of 319 runs and a day to spare, India are looking a troubled side already 2-down in the four-match series.

In the post-match interaction with the media, skipper MS Dhoni spoke about the fitness of his key players and the weak links in the side. On a positive note, Dhoni said that India would come out fighting in the remaining two games.

Excerpts:

On losing the match after having England at 124 for the loss of eight wickets on Day 1

Those hundred runs really mattered and when we were batting we were four [wickets] down and after that we were not really able to capitalise. We needed to see that second new ball through but we were not really able to do that.

On what India could have done differently when England were 124/8 in the first innings

We tried quite a few things. I felt that the bowlers were a bit tired; that was one of the reasons. Some of their batsmen played some brave shots and it paid off well for them; the mis-hits landed between fielders and that’s what you want in a situation like that if that’s what your team is doing. The bowlers tried everything but it was a bad day when nothing really went our way.

On the batting line-up failing to make 300 runs in any of the innings so far

It is a bit of a concern because if you see this series, it is a continuation of the West Indies series; [the players] hardly had a gap. There also we were not able to put huge amount of runs on the board, so it is a factor. You want your batsmen to perform especially if you are a side that is known for batting. The fast bowlers and our [spin] bowlers are doing a pretty good job; it’s just that we need to put up some extra runs on the board.

On the key players having fitness issues

Right now Zaheer [Khan] is having a few deliveries, bowling over [in the nets]. I don’t really know where we stand right now but injuries happen in the game and you just [hope] that it doesn’t really happen. But if it happens, then you have to manage with three bowlers more often than not and it becomes very tough because all our part-timers are spinners. I don’t think it really pays if the spinners are bowling […] from the 50th to the 80th over.

On his own form

It is a bit of a concern because if you are the leader, you want to perform. But at the same time, you need to see whether you are doing all the things right. If you are preparing well and looking to score runs, [then] even if you don’t it’s a fair enough thing because at the international level, more often than not the opposition will look to get you out. So if the process is right, form will come. It’s a matter of time.

On recalling Ian Bell

When we went back to the dressing room during the tea session, everything was okay but inside I felt none of us was feeling very right about the incident and that’s what really mattered to us. It’s not about the laws or spirit or anything else. At the end of the day, once you go back from the dressing room, once you go back to your hotel, you want to feel good about the day that you had spent on the field. That was one of the main reasons we said that is something we needed to have a look at. I’m glad we decided [to do it] that way because there have been a few occasions in the past [when] it could have gone either way. Especially in the last series in West Indies, [VVS] Laxman almost [went through] the same kind of incident. We didn’t want it to be a revenge-like feeling, to take a decision like that. So, at the end of the day, I am really happy that the team decided that we should call Bell back.

On Virender Sehwag’s likeliness to play the next Test

We’ll see how he goes in the practice game. We have a practice game before the next game. I have not got official word about it, but hopefully he can come and give the strength that is needed. You can call it reinforcement but we all know what Virender Sehwag is capable of.

On whether India can turn it around

Well, of course, that’s what it’s all about. When you play at the top level, you will face tough situations. This is one of those and that’s what you are supposed to do - have belief in yourself and in the team at the same time. So we’ll definitely look to make it tough.