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MS Dhoni credits spinners’ solid display for India’s win over England in 3rd ODI

Apart from Ashwin, Dhoni felt Jadeja and part-timers Raina and Rayudu were architects of India's win.

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Despite taking just one wicket, Ravindra Jadeja (left) had the English batsmen in a tangle © Getty Images

Aug 31, 2014

MS Dhoni, relieved at his Indian side bouncing back in style in what has been a miserable tour of England so far lasvished praise on his spinners, who were instrumenttal in their comfortable six wicket victory. Man-of-the-Match Ravichandran Ashwin ran through the English line-up and the perrenial thorn in in the English flesh broke the backbone of the hosts for India to take an anassailable 2-0 lead in the One-Day International (ODI) series. The Indian skipper mentioned Suresh Raina’s wily off-spinners too.

The spinners clinched it for us. I felt Ashwin and Jadeja did really well but Raina’s spell was important. At that time we were already one bowler short. Mohit (Sharma) was out and I wasn’t sure he would come back to bowl again. Raina gave us the first breakthrough, which I think was crucial because they got off to a good start. I did not expect the ball to spin much when I elected to bowl. The face of the wicket looked quite dry. There was no lush green grass cover, which meant that there was no help for the pacers. But still the temperature was down and it’s a fresh wicket. The first 20 minutes to half an hour was crucial… But it slowed down a bit, Telgraph reports.

Rayudu also bowled well. Not to forget, he got Cook’s wicket with great piece of spin bowling. The batting was really crucial. We are looking for a No 4 batsman. There are quite a few in contention… But we need somebody, who has to play till the end. If Virat (Kohli) gets out initially, then Raina,  Jadeja and me can play our natural game and be a bit more aggressive. And as of now Rayudu fills in that spot.

Dhoni was happy with much maligned vice-captian Virat Kohli getting back to run-scoring ways after he got an encouraging 40 under his belt.

As I said, Virat has been middling the ball well in the nets. He is in a phase that he may go out in the middle and play those big shots and get out. But you just have to accept that… Personally, I feel he has an aggressive and fantastic attitude. It is just a matter of time before he returns to form.

Complete coverage of India’s tour of England 2014

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