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'We have set the benchmark', says Dhoni

By Super Admin

Wellington, Apr. 7 (ANI): Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni today praised his squad for gelling together to effect a series triumph in New Zealand after 41 years, and added that it had set a benchmark for future Indian teams to achieve.

"It's a fantastic atmosphere [in the dressing room], can't get better. We have set the benchmark. Next time when we come to New Zealand, people expect you to win. You have achieved something that's big, but the tough part is to maintain it, to sustain it. It never gets easy for a cricketer," said Dhoni.

"If you have not achieved something, there's pressure on you to achieve it. Once you have achieved it, there is pressure to sustain it. Nothing comes easy, it will be tougher for the guys who come on the next tour," he added.

Though disappointed at not winning the third and final test here because of inclement weather, Dhoni said: " You can't really bank on the weather. What we were expecting was a minimum of 110 overs. But we didn't even get that much. What we wanted to do in the second innings was to attack, attack and attack so that even if one ball goes in the air, you want a fielder to catch it. That's only possible when you have the extra 70-80 runs. You don't want to change your plan."

Dhoni said the most satisfying bit of the whole tour was that it was a team effort, with almost everybody contributing at some point or time or other.

"Contributions came when they were needed," he said.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori agreed with Dhoni's assessment of it being team effort-related win.

"India obviously outplayed us in all departments, apart from our first couple of morning sessions where we had them at 200 for 6. From then on in, it's been India's game," Vettori said.

Vettori also praised fast bowler Chris Martin for a successful comeback from injury at the age of 34, adding that for his unrelenting spirit, he deserved at least 200 Test wickets before walking into the sunset.

"There is a number of things we have to improve. We have to improve our consistency as a side. We do things well for a period of time, but the longevity of what we do is the thing that is causing me the most stress. You see it all the time that we can be a good team, but we are not delivering it often enough," Vettori said.

Vettori said: "We like to see some improvement, obviously getting off the foot of the table. If we can get to fourth or fifth in the next 24 months, that will be very pleasing." (ANI)

Story first published: Tuesday, August 22, 2017, 12:34 [IST]
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