MS Dhoni looked a little baffled at the presentation ceremony, still trying to figure out how India had handed Australia another victory in this ODI series. After a moment's thought, as the inevitable "how did that happen" question poured in, Dhoni took the blame himself, insisting it was his job to finish off the innings, and the fact that he hadn't been able to means, he needs to take the criticism.
There has been no better finisher in the ODI game than Dhoni, particularly when it has come to the chase. The calmness he personifies and the ability to pretty much always take the chase deep is second to none.
However, in this match in Canberra, with India seemingly cruising to the mammoth target of 349, Dhoni got out for a second-ball duck, immediately after centurion Shikhar Dhawan had fallen to John Hastings.
From there, India collapsed spectacularly to give Australia a 25-run victory. In the blink of an eye, India had gone from a winning position to losing the match and with it giving Australia a 4-0 series lead.
"I am not angry, I'm disappointed," a downcast Dhoni said. "This was one game we should have batted much better. I'll take the responsibility. I should have carried on but I got out.
"There was a bit of pressure on the youngsters. International cricket is all about pressure, you think about the right shot. You realise you have to take a bit more time and take the game slightly to the end."
If there were three players who did not deserve to end up on the losing side they were Rohit Sharma, for his brilliant quickfire knock which set the chase up, Dhawan and Virat Kohli, both of whom hit wonderful centuries. And Dhoni was effusive in his praise of the top three.
"Rohit batted very well with Shikhar," Dhoni added. "And Dhawan and Kohli batted majestically, but we could not see the game through."
