Could have fancied our chances if the target was 250: Dhoni

Cape Town:

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that had the target been in the 250-260 region, they could have fancied a chance of going for the chase.

"The bowlers did well. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the last few wickets. Probably another wicket and the target been around 250-260, we would have fancied our chances," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"The nature of the Kookaburra balls are such that it doesn't do much after 40 overs. Our bowlers are dependant more on skill than pace. So when a player like Kallis gets set, ut becomes difficult to get him out as you can't just push through with old ball," he reasoned.

The Indian skipper termed the series as an interesting one.

"It was an interesting series. We are quite used to coming from behind. We never do well in the first Test. But the batsmen played really well. Our bowlers also did a great job in Durban. Here also they did well until the last few wickets."

When asked about the positives that has emerged from the series, he said, "There have been quite a few positives. The effort that we have put in was great. Harbhajan's bowling was another aspect. We all take pride playing for India. We always prepare well for a series. We focus on giving our best. We are a good unit."

South African captain Graeme Smith feels that the recent series against India has shown that the two teams are on even keel.

"We have played three Test series in last two years and all have ended 1-1. That goes to show that two teams are even. Also it is a proof that how competitive the series has been. Each and every session has been exciting. We have seen a terrific performance from Jacques (Kallis) and Sachin," the skipper said.

The southpaw feels that no praise is enough for Kallis who scored century in each innings battling severe pain in his rib-cage.

"Jacques' innings was an inspiration for all of us. Yesterday when he came back in the dressing room, we all saw how much of pain he was in. At that time, we were in trouble but our lower order batsmen hung in there."

Smith feels there should be more and more matches played between the top two Test teams in the world.

Kallis, was predictably named man-of-the-match and man-of-the-series for his brilliant all-round effort (498 runs, 3 wickets and 5 catches). One of the greatest all-rounders in the game, he feels that his second innings century is one of his better efforts considering he had to overcome the pain barrier.

"Yeah, the second innings hundred is up there with the best. The team was in trouble in the second innings.

Fortunately, Boucher and I had a partnership going. The lower order too contributed.

"It's certainly a great honour to do it in front of the Newlands crowd. In my opinion, its the best ground in the world," said Kallis, who now has eight centuries at this ground.

When asked as to why he tried playing reverse sweeps, he answered,"I just tried to apply the pressure back on the bowler (reverse sweeps). Fortunately it came off. On another day, you could have got a top edge and look an idiot!" The veteran all-rounder also feels that this is the best ever he has played.

"I am probably playing as best I have ever played. I have worked hard in the last 3-4 years and hopefully I can keep scoring for more years."