England took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series,against India

Birmingham, Aug 13 (IANS) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that his team didn't play to its potential as the visitors surrendered their World No.1 Test crown to England after a humiliating an innings and 242-run loss with a day to spare in the third cricket Test here Saturday.

As England took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series, Dhoni said it was one of those series where nothing clicked for his team. It was also the first series loss for India under Dhoni.
'I congratulate England for the win and being the No.1 Test side. We were not up to our mark and the margin of defeat got bigger and bigger with every match. We have not really played to our potential. I think we played just 60 percent to what we are capable of. There are certain areas where we need to improve and our batting and bowling did not click. We have to be consistent,' said Dhoni.

On India's sloppy fielding, Dhoni said: 'We need to see what limitations we have. A few of our players are not great fielders and we're not the best looking fielding side in the world. But we are really proud of our bowling and batting.'

Asked why didn't the bowling click, Dhoni said: 'It is difficult to explain. We have not been able to keep good deliveries out. It is a major area of concern. We need to see out the good ones and make use of the loose deliveries.'

Despite three massive defeats, Dhoni said he was proud of his team.

'A couple of defeats doesn't change anything. I am still proud of my team. When you play for India, there is a lot of expectation and people expect us to win everything but that's not possible. Being No.1 or not is not important, it's all about being consistent. I've been quite happy with the preparation but it's one of those series where nothing has really clicked for us.'

On Rahul Dravid's dismissal in the second innings, Dhoni said: 'When Rahul came back to the dressing room he said he heard a noise. So he was in doubt and didn't go for a review. Rahul said since he heard a noise, he thought it would have been an edge. But I think in such cases we should take the help of technology and go for review.'

Asked whether some players in his team are over the hill, Dhoni said: 'They are still the best in the world. There is plenty of cricket left in them.'

Dhoni also said that it was not possible for India to win every series.

'This is first series loss for us un two and a half years. It is not possible to win every series. It is basically a game of cat and mouse and we have to be at our best. Being No.1 is not as important as being a consistent team,' he said.

Dhoni also said that youngsters in the team should make the best of the chances that ar coming their way.

'We have to back the youngsters keeping in mind the future of Indian cricket. But they have to make the most of the opportunities that they are getting,' said Dhoni.