Dhoni urges India to learn from mistakes

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CHENNAI, Mar 19 (AFP): India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants his side to learn the harsh lessons from defeat by South Africa and a tie with England as their thoughts turn to the World Cup quarter-finals. South Africa's crushing 206-run victory over Bangladesh in Dhaka Saturday secured India's place in the last eight, regardless of the result of the co-hosts' Group B finale against the West Indies in Chennai Sunday. India went into the tournament as favourites but a failure to defeat either of the other two leading Test nations in their group has raised questions about their ability to finish sides off. Dhoni's men had chances to win both matches, notably against South Africa, where from the commanding position of 267 for one they slumped to 296 all out. However, Dhoni said the results could prove blessings in disguise for India. "It was a good learning (experience) for all of us," he said Saturday. "It's not only about how well you started in the game or how long you dominated. Unless you finish off well, you cannot say you have won a game." Dhoni said it was good that India's mistakes had come in the league phase rather than the knockout phase. "We will take what we have learned into the knockout stages and hopefully say 'OK, OK, we've got off to a very good start. If you just bat 50 overs you will emerge as winners'." "Hopefully we won't repeat those mistakes. Being human beings we are always supposed to commit mistakes. Hopefully, the interval between the two will be longer." India, in common with many sides, have come unstuck in the batting powerplay with wickets tossed away as batsmen feel obliged to go for big shots in the five overs when just three fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. "Personally, I do not think you need to manufacture shots. It is about the thinking," hard-hitting batsman Dhoni said.