We failed to grab opportunities: Dhoni

Auckland, Jan 25 (IANS) India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt his team failed to grab the opportunities despite pulling off a sensational draw against New Zealand in the third One-day International here Saturday.

The draw means India can still level the five-match series by winning the remaining two ODIs.

India, chasing 315, did well to reach 314 after being 184 for six in the 36th over.

“I think we batted well. But if we are to pick situations where we could have closed the game quite comprehensively, those were the situations we did not grab. It is a bit disappointing but overall a good result as it keeps us alive in the series,” said Dhoni at the post-match presentation at Eden Park.

“I think the straight boundaries were quite short, and even the bowlers who bowled quick, their strengths are all about going full and going for yorkers, and when it doesn’t then it tends to be hit down the ground. I think overall 300 would have been fantastic,” he said of New Zealand’s innings anchored by Martin Guptill (111) and Kane Williamson (65).

Ravindra Jadeja (66 not out) and Ravichandran Ashwin (65) got India tantalisingly close to victory by sharing 85 runs for the seventh wicket.

“I had faith in them (Ashwin and Jadeja), but my problems started when Jadeja told Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) what he needs to do. Ashwin should have batted till the end, but this is also the first time he was put into a position like this. I definitely feel like he is someone who can definitely bat like a batsman and has improved his power hitting as well, which he has been working on,” added Dhoni.