We saw the ugly side of cricket: Dhoni

[1]

Frustrated after rain interruptions forced a tie in the fourth ODI against England, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the 'ugly side of cricket' came to fore in the match as the side which had the upperhand 'didn't want to play'.

Yesterday's tie gave England the five-match series after the first game was washed out and the hosts won the next two.

India had set England a formidable target of 281 in yesterday's match before rain interruptions forced a tie with the hosts at the Duckworth-Lewis par score of 270 for eight.

"We just saw the ugly side of cricket. Whichever team has the upper hand, doesn't want to play. Whichever team is not on winning side, will stick around and even play football. That's what people do and that's what both sides did," Dhoni said after the match.

There were as many as three interruptions - first when England were up and second when the Indians were ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis rule.

The intervening showers did cease 10 minutes after the proceedings were ended but the rules didn't permit the game to be played under lights.

"If you have a day game, you need different guidelines and principles to follow. If you put it under lights, it doesn't look nice," he said.

Dhoni said some of the Indian players were confused about the result.

"Some of the guys were confused. Some thought we had won it. Most of us thought it was a passing shower and we would be able to get back on the field," said Dhoni.

"Once inside the dressing room, we saw the final sheet of paper. After looking at it, it was apparent it was a tie and none of the side had won the game," he added.