 We had hardly two days to prepare a plan: Uthappa
7th Oct 2007 19:01 IST
Agencies
Admitting there was let up in intensity level of Indian team after the Twenty20 World Cup, middle order batsman Robin Uthappa today promised the hosts would "make amends" in remaining one-dayers against Australia.
"The momentum we returned with (from South Africa), was for Twenty20 cricket and it was not easy to immediately change the mode. All of us were a bit knackered up after the (T20) World Cup. We had little time to shift gears and the intensity level dropped," Uthappa told a press conference on the eve of the fourth ODI in Chandigarh.
"We had hardly two days to prepare a plan for a tough series against Australia," he said.
The Karnataka player admitted the lack of partnerships in the middle order have often scuttled their chase in the series and promised that batsmen "would make amends".
India are trailing 0-2 with the first match of the seven-match series being washed out due to rains in Bangalore.
But with four more matches still remaining in the series, Uthappa said things were looking better for the side.
"Things are definitely better now. We are halfway through the series and hope things would improve soon. The body language in the dressing room is very positive and everyone is looking forward to the match. Chandigarh has been a happy hunting ground for us and we hope to do well tomorrow," he said.
Although Australia have so far dominated the series with ruthless professionalism, Uthappa did not agree that the visitors won because they are a better side.
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