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Rediff.com  » Cricket » 'There's a tendency to lax after win, but India has got better'

'There's a tendency to lax after win, but India has got better'

September 03, 2014 12:32 IST
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Indian captain MS Dhoni acknowledges the crowd. Photograph: Getty Images

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels his side played a "perfect game" at Edgbaston as the visitors thrashed England by nine wickets in the fourth One-Dayer to take an invincible 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Opting to bowl, India first restricted England to a modest 206 and then overwhelmed the target in 30.3 overs to record their third consecutive victory in the ODI series at the the Edgbaston, in what turned out to be yet another lopsided contest. 

"Considering the first game, our performance only got better," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation. 

"There is a tendency to lax after win, but we only got better and today was a perfect game," he said. 

"The seamers bowled in the right areas and it was crucial because I thought it wouldn't turn much. The fast bowlers set it up, because they took wickets and when the spinners came the batting was under pressure."

Indian captain MS Dhoni is all smiles during a training session. Photograph: Getty Images

Dhoni praised young Ajinkya Rahane, who came in to open the batting in place of injured Rohit Sharma and scored his maiden ODI century with a 100-ball 106-run knock. 

Opening the innings, Rahane and an woefully out-of-form Shikhar Dhawan (97 not out) put on 183 runs for the first wicket to set the platform for the victory.

"The openers, if they can face 10 to 12 overs, it gives us a platform. It was good to see Dhawan back in form. Rahane was always someone who was third in line for the opening slot and he has made the most out of it. He is a good timer which makes it slightly easy for him. It's a spot that suits him. 

"Rohit is a very talented guy and we are not making any decisions (on opening) as yet. I feel a lot of credit goes to the seniors I played under and the youngsters," Dhoni said. 

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