India's skipper Rahul Dravid promised that the team will regroup after the crushing 10-wicket defeat to South Africa in the fourth one-day international in Kolkata on Friday.
"Shaun Pollock bowled a very good spell early in our innings and we lost important wickets. We are losing a few wickets early on and we need to work on that," Dravid said after South Africa took an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
He admitted that South Africa were too good in the day-night encounter and they need to regroup before the fifth one-dayer at Mumbai on November 28.
"We were outclassed in all departments of the game and we need to be regrouped," he said. "We are united. We are together and I am sure we will regroup."
Dravid said the dew factor came into play as it became difficult to bowl in the evening.
"There was lot of dew and it was tough. It was not easy to bowl," he added.
An elated South African captain Graeme Smith, who was declared man of the match for his unbeaten 134, said he was happy to be 2-1 up in the series.
"It was an awesome win and a great team effort. I am delighted that we are 2-1 up in the series," he said.
"I thoroughly enjoyed playing in front of the Indian crowd," he added.
Dravid did not blame the wicket for the side's poor showing.
"The fact is we didn't bat well. I can't really blame the wicket since it played good and there was true bounce."
On the decision to send Pathan as a surprise opener, he said, "The thinking was to go with two left-handers. Pathan had some success against them. We thought if they can score some runs in the first few overs then the middle order could build up on that.
"Unfortunately, he got out. When you keep trying different things, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't," Dravid said.
Pathan had scored 46 and 37 in the earlier matches of the series.
Asked whether he was concerned at master batsman Sachin Tendulkar's failure in the last six matches, Dravid replied, "Not really. Sachin is a great player. I hope he will score. According to the law of averages, he is due for a big score."
To a query whether bowling in the second innings in dewy condition is difficult, Dravid answered in the affirmative.
"Bowling second is always a problem under dewy conditions. But the real problem was there was not much runs on the board. We should have a scored close to 300," he said.
He hailed the superb innings played by his counterpart Graeme Smith and said, "We had two-three plans for him. But he played very well so our plans did not work."
Smith, overjoyed at the big win at Eden Gardens, hailed a brilliant display by upfront bowlers Shaun Pollock and Andre Nel.
"Winning by ten wickets at Eden Gardens was massive for us. It was a big game for the team and we are very, very satisfied," he said.
Asked about his unbeaten 134, his individual highest in ODIs, the skipper replied, "It was definitely satisfying. We (Smith and Andew Hall) just wanted to go and finish the game.
"We wanted to strike early on in the Indian innings. We really wanted to be aggressive at the upfront. And the seniors should step up in big matches, which Pollock did beautifully.
While winning the toss was crucial, sticking to the game plan and concentrating on their own game brought rich dividend for the tourists, he said.
Smith admitted that sending Irfan Pathan as an opener did surprise them, but "when you send a non-specialist in the top order, there is always a risk of losing one-two wickets".
"And this put pressure on the middle order. However, in India's conditions, you can afford to do that."
Asked if Sourav Ganguly's presence could have made any difference, he said, "I know Sourav's name has been hanging around them after this performance. But we really focussed on our own game only."
He also hailed his boys for their adaptability to the Indian conditions.
Asked to comment on West Indian master batsman Brian Lara's feat of 11,000 runs in Test cricket, he said, "Lara is a world class player. Scoring over 11,000 Test runs is incredible. He had a rough patch but came back well. He often carries his team through."
Smith attributed South Africa's success to the side's meticulous planning and its perfect execution on the field for the collapse of the Indian top order in the series at Hyderabad and Bangalore.
Commenting on Sachin Tendulkar's poor show with the bat, Smith said, "He is a great player. But is not easy to play in such pressure and against such aggressive bowling."
Asked whether Tendulkar is vulnerable to deliveries pitched outside the off stump, the South African captain said, "Everyone is vulnerable if you keep him under pressure."
Smith was visibly pleased with the Eden Gardens crowd.
"It was a very good crowd. Generally, the Eden Gardens crowd is sporting. And they cheer for good performers. We enjoyed the crowd."
