We tried our best, says Dhoni

London (IANS): India Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was left groping for words to explain his side's 0-4 series annihilation against England.

India lost The Oval Test by an innings and eight runs on the fifth and final day Monday.

“We tried our best and that is important. As I said here in the last presentation that we are trying our best. We were outplayed and it happens sometimes at the top level,” said Dhoni, struggling to find words to explain such a performance.

“I think international cricket is about pushing opposition to commit mistakes and we could not do that. They batted well and we could not put 300 runs on the board, that speaks for itself.”

Asked whether India were complacent before the series, Dhoni said: “We did not get much time before the series. There was no time to be complacent; we tried to use the resources in the best possible manner.”

Dhoni said there would be a lot of talk about their performance back home and the team would have to stay together to brave this tough time. “It is important to stay together as a unit. The expectation levels are high.”

Asked about the reviving the team under new coach Duncan Fletcher, Dhoni said: “That's the way it should be. We are not willing to surrender.”

Dhoni said they will fight back in the ODI series.

“We are the world champions, so the expectations will be high. We have been doing well in ODIs.

 There are quite a few practice games before the series and we will try to give our best shot.”