MS Dhoni hints at making changes in the batting department

MS Dhoni

Harare: India are on course for an effortless ODI series whitewash over Zimbabwe but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni today said he is concerned about the lack of opportunities for most of his batsmen in the tour so far.

MS Dhoni

India posted an eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second One-day International to claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series here.

"So far, only three of our top batsmen have got the chance to play. In the batting department we would like to make changes," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation
ceremony.

Regarding changes in the team combination for the last ODI and three T20 Internationals, he said, "We'll sit and discuss changes for the next game with Sanjay (Bangar).

There's only so much players can do in only one game. We'll see who can we fit in the T20 squad and maybe we'll rest one of the bowlers."

Dhoni gave credit to his bowlers for the resounding win. "Our bowlers did a great job to restrict them, I felt they would cross 200 but our spinners got us important
breakthroughs," he said.

Asked about his catch to dismiss Richmond Mutumbami, Dhoni said, "It's always good to take catches and inside edges are always good to take."

Today's big win follows India's nine-wicket victory in the first ODI.

"It was a different performance from the first game, slightly different pitch. Some of the shots played in the first 10 overs showed it was coming on to the bat nicely."

Owing to his team's dominant display, Dhoni has so far not had a single opportunity to bat, but he did not mind that.

"Most important thing is to win games and our batting when it comes to professionalism is right up there, even in the first game."

It was a dominant performance yet again from the second-string Indian side whose bowlers first skittled the hosts for a lowly 126 in 34.3 overs and the batsmen hardly broke a sweat to get past the target in only 26.5 overs.

Losing captain Graeme Cremer was upset with the result.

"Losing the toss again may have played a part but our batters didn't look the part. The wicket was still doing a little bit and we were looking to get around 240 to get them under pressure. Injuries are always disappointing but I think we had enough batters to post a good score. We know we have four games to go and hopefully come hard at them in the T20s.

Man of the Match was legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal for returning impressive figures of 3/25.

"I enjoyed bowling, the wicket was a bit slow. Day before the batsmen were not going after me and were a bit defensive, today they were attacking me so I got wickets," Chahal, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, said.