Port Elizabeth, Jan 22: India lost the fourth ODI to South Africa by 48 runs based on the Duckworth/Lewis method to level the five-match series 2-2. Indian skipper M S Dhoni spoke to the media regarding the loss and the decider game on Sunday at SuperSport Park.

Excerpts from the interaction

On the unfortunate loss and not being able to capitalise after having South Africa on 118/5

Of course [it’s disappointing] but [what] was important was their scoring rate. They were scoring at a very health pace which meant if they batted 50 overs, they would’ve got anything, [over] 240 runs easily and that’s what really happened. You know we used eight bowlers. At times you think it’s variety in the bowling but it can also be that extra pressure on the captain to get that one batsman out. So it never really happened for us. I think their middle-order, along with their lower-middle order, batted really well and posted enough runs on the board.

On whether he considered playing a more attacking game when SA were 118/5

Well, I tried out, actually we tried out [that tactic] everything - we used the fast bowlers, the spinners, the part-timers, everyone. We had the slip fielders throughout but every-time it doesn’t go your way. So I think it was one of those days when we needed that one wicket but the batsmen played really well.

On what he thought was par for the course on the St. George’s Park track

If [the target] was close to 240 odd runs, we would have fancied our chances. Especially [with] the Duckworth/ Lewis it gets a bit difficult. I have always said that if you are batting second and if the Duckworth/Lewis happens later on in the innings and if you lose around 15 overs, then you don’t really have any chance in the game. But if it’s before the start of the second innings, you use 30 odd overs, 20 overs, you know. [A score of] 140/150/ 160 with more than seven overs of Powerplay becomes easy.

On whether that’s the reason for the start being important

It is, but we always [thought it better, especially in this series,] not to go in with a fancy start, have a conservative approach, [not] lose too many wickets and then look to increase the pace throughout the innings.

On Virat Kohli’s tremendous form being a big positive for the team

Of course it’s a big positive for us. Batting at No. 3, he’s [Virat Kohli] always carried the innings through. Which means he’s been around, he’s played a lot so it’s one good thing for us. But the [other] batsmen also need to chip in. The middle-order has not really clicked in this series. Not only for our side, for the South African side [too]. So I think the last game will be very interesting.

On his thoughts going into the series decider at Centurion on Sunday

It will be interesting and that’s what the spectators want and that’s what the team is looking forward to - a game filled with pressure. So may the best team win. But after all, the team which handles the pressure better will be the winning team.