India convincingly defeated New Zealand 3-1 in the five-match ODI series, with the second ODI failing to produce a result after it was washed out due to rain.
India lost the fifth ODI yesterday, on March 14, after its batsmen failed to put up a competitive target, folding all-out for just 149 runs after which the Kiwis reached its target with over 26 overs to spare.
Despite his team’s poor performance in the fifth ODI, Dhoni fails to be believe that his team have handed New Zealand the momentum going into the Test series which begins on March 18.
“Before the one-day series, I was asked the same question because of the Twenty20 defeats,” said Dhoni. India lost both the Twenty20 Internationals in the lead-up to the ODI series.
He went on to add, “As I said, it’s not about what we have done. We have to start from scratch again. Nothing changes, particularly when it comes to Test cricket, where you have to play consistent cricket over a period of time.”
“I don’t think (the defeat) matters when it comes to the last game of a one-day series.”
The series win was the first time in 41 years that India defeated the Black Caps in a bilateral ODI series away from home.
Dhoni took full responsibility for the loss at Auckland accepting the team’s mistake in misreading the wicket.
“We misread the wicket. We do make mistakes, but we should have negotiated the period when it was doing quite a bit. Throughout the series we have played big shots, which paid off, but this time we lost a few wickets and put ourselves under pressure.”
Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori was all praise for his bowlers who bundled out the explosive Indian batsmen in just 36.3 overs taking the last five wickets for just 39 runs.
“The wicket had a little more in it than the previous ones, but you still have to bowl well. You saw that a guy like Sehwag can still be explosive. Some guys who haven’t performed in the series stepped up. Oram was outstanding and Jesse Ryder came through with the ball.”
Vettori also praised Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill, who hit a collective total of 13 boundaries and six sixes, for making the chase look extremely simple.
“I thought Jess (Ryder) and Martin (Guptill) played good cricket shots throughout, and many of those disappeared out of the park.”
After changing its fortunes in the ODI series, India will now look to improve its unimpressive Test record in New Zealand. Hamilton, Napier and Wellington will host the three Tests between India and New Zealand.
The Tests will also mark the return of Indian veteran batsmen Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman to the side.
Sportz Interactive
Sunday, March 15, 2009 4:42:38 PM
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