After suffering another heavy thrashing from World champions Australia in the VB tri-series finals on Friday, Sourav Ganguly took consolation from the fact that the lower order put up a gritty performance.
"The positive thing was that our lower order did well," said the Indian captain after India lost to Australia by seven wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Hemang Badani and Ajit Agarkar featured in a record 102-run stand for the seventh wicket after the team had slumped to 75 for six at one stage.
Ganguly said the modest total meant the bowlers had little chance of putting pressure on the hosts, who now lead the best-of-three finals 1-0.
"We lost a few wickets early and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. If you are 70 for 6 in the 20th over then you are always struggling," said Ganguly, who has scores of 1, 1, 1 and 6 in the last four matches.
"But you cannot blame the bowlers as we were always short on runs," he said.
Asked about the second final in Sydney on Sunday, Ganguly said: "We will try our best."
Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who also won the man-of-the match award after a blitzkreig 88, said his side is running on the confidence gained from their big win over India at Perth on February 1.
"We were propelled by the confidence gained from Perth and we will take today's confidence to Sydney," Ponting said.
"We would like to finish it in two matches," he added.
Ponting admitted that his side bowled very well today and said there is little chance for anyone to come into the side for the second final.
"Most of the guys did a very good job and there is no chance for any change."
He said Adam Gilchrist is having a terrific time against India.
"He hit 38 off 20 balls today. He is having a very good run against the Indians. I hope he continues in the same way," he added.
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