England captain Kevin Pietersen said on Tuesday the tour of India had provided his team a learning experience after losing the two-Test series 1-0. "It's been a good tour. We have got a lot to learn from this tour," said Pietersen after the second Test ended in a draw at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here. The tourists, set an improbable victory target of 403 in 43 overs, had made 64-1 when the match was called off with 15 overs remaining on the fifth and final day. India won the first Test in Chennai by chasing down a tough target of 387 on the back of Sachin Tendulkar's 40th Test century, and left-hander Yuvraj Singh's 85 not out. Pietersen said he was happy England decided to return to India for the Test series despite last month's Mumbai terror attacks.
"We have enjoyed ourselves, everyone's been very hospitable in India," he said. "We have enjoyed our time here and in Chennai. I am just really proud to be captain of bunch of lads who jumped on a plane to come here and play some really good cricket. "They have concentrated solely on their cricket, they have enjoyed their cricket, they have played with smiles on their faces. You can't ask for anything more. We have got to take our hats off and say congratulations to India for a fantastic tour. They have played some fantastic cricket."
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni described the series win as a team effort to which everyone contributed, either with the bat or the ball.
"The conditions were tough for fast bowlers but they took the responsibility when it was needed," he said after seamer Zaheer Khan was named man of the series for his eight wickets. "As for the batsmen, whenever we needed a big partnership, there was one. There were situations where we lost a few wickets, but someone stood up and said, 'I will be the person that takes the team through'. So, it was a very good team effort."
Dhoni downplayed India's rise to number two in the International Cricket Council's world rankings behind Australia after the series win. "We just concentrate on preparing and executing our plans," he said. "Whether we are top of the chart or third or fourth position does not matter. We are enjoying the cricket we are playing. We are backing each other and enjoying each other's success. That is what is important." England coach Peter Moores endorsed the team's decision to return to India for the series, despite security concerns. "We made our statement as a team and I think it is the right one," he said. "Since we have been here, it has felt very secure. It is a great place to play and everybody has learned a huge amount. There have been some tough lessons. We have got to take them away, improve ourselves and go to the West Indies after Christmas and move it forward.
"It was definitely worth coming here. We have learned something, there has been some good cricket played and we move on to the challenges of 2009."
Dhoni downplayed India's rise to number two in the International Cricket Council's world rankings behind Australia after the series win. "We just concentrate on preparing and executing our plans," he said. "Whether we are top of the chart or third or fourth position does not matter. We are enjoying the cricket we are playing. We are backing each other and enjoying each other's success. That is what is important." England coach Peter Moores endorsed the team's decision to return to India for the series, despite security concerns. "We made our statement as a team and I think it is the right one," he said. "Since we have been here, it has felt very secure. It is a great place to play and everybody has learned a huge amount. There have been some tough lessons. We have got to take them away, improve ourselves and go to the West Indies after Christmas and move it forward.
"It was definitely worth coming here. We have learned something, there has been some good cricket played and we move on to the challenges of 2009."
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