India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lashed out at his batsmen for playing to the gallery and not for their country in the three-wicket World Cup defeat to South Africa.
India looked set to post a mammoth total in Saturday's game when they reached 267-1 following Sachin Tendulkar's brilliant 111, but lost their last nine wickets for just 29 runs in nine overs.
"In the batting powerplay, it's important that you don't play for the crowd, but for your country," said Dhoni.
The captain was furious over India's inability to master the powerplay and he insists his men will have to learn to make the most of the fielding restrictions if they are to achieve their World Cup dream.
India still top Group B with seven points from five games and should still make the quarterfinals, but Dhoni has concerns over his team.
"The batting powerplay was the turning point of the match as we lost too many wickets during that period. After that, we should have curbed our instincts and looked to play out the 50 overs," said the captain.
India lost four wickets, including those of Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir (69) for 30 runs during the batting powerplay which eventually restricted their total to 296 in 48.4 overs.
"Spectators love to see fours and sixes, but when you lose two-three wickets, you need to change your approach. When you have 270-280 runs on the board, batsmen want to play big shots," said Dhoni.
"You need to curb your thinking. Different people have different roles and responsibilities."
India's dramatic collapse was triggered by South African paceman Dale Steyn in a man-of-the-match performance of 5-50.
South Africa achieved their 297-run target with two balls to spare.
"Cricket is a cruel game. This is not the first time I've experienced it (the batting collapse). I am not disappointed, but it is a big learning curve and it happens with all sides," said Dhoni.
"Sometimes, when you look for those extra 20 runs, you risk a few things and end up with 30-40 runs less, which can matter in the end. Today was an ideal example of that."
In contrast, Graeme Smith's South Africans did better in their batting powerplay, scoring 52 runs for the loss of just one wicket before tail-ender Robin Peterson completed the win with an unbeaten 18.
With South Africa needing 13 to win in the last over bowled by left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra, Peterson took 16 runs off the first four balls, including two fours and a six.
"I had two options, either Ashish or (off-spinner) Harbhajan Singh. Ashish has been the pick of our bowlers for the last two years," said Dhoni.
"If you see his performances, he has done well in the past in the first powerplay or second or at the slog."
