[Arjun]

Now, after a public apology by Dhoni, the team management, particularly Gary Kirsten, started the excuse-o-matic before this match, blaming IPL fatigue on their below-par performance here. Then how was South Africa doing so much better? Or Sri Lanka? Both teams had all their top players in the IPL and they're doing well here. The result of Delhi and Punjab crashing out and Deccan winning the IPL was a bigger factor than any fatigue.

The Indians (batsmen in particular) were less than dire throughout the IPL, and that has showed here too. It is difficult to comment on the bowling, as they did well, though let down by fielding and field placings, but Zaheer and Ishant not being in form in England was a factor. The batting, however, looks completely misfit in T20, lacking technique, power, innovation and intelligence. Strategies were also weird, but when your best T20 players are on the bench, you're out of it.

And there's Yusuf Pathan. Tipped as one of the best T20 players around, Dhoni has relegated him far back into the sidelines, when he can contribute so much to this team.