We’re back to winning ways: Dhoni

Dhoni delighted with team as India outclass England by eight wickets.

NEW DEHLI: India captain MS Dhoni was relishing his team’s return to form as the world champions continued to make amends for their disastrous England tour, beating the visitors by eight wickets in the second One-Day International (ODI) to lead the series 2-0.

Dhoni praised the character India had shown in the series.

“I’m glad we’re back to our winning ways,” he said. “The England tour wasn’t good, but the team showed character to bounce back.”

Dhoni was all praise for fast-bowler Vinay Kumar (four for 30) and batsmen Gautam Gambhir (84 not out) and Virat Kohli, who hit a brilliant unbeaten 112 to guide his team home in pursuit of 238.

England captain Alastair Cook admitted the bad start with the bat affected his team, as the visitors lost their openers without a run on the board.

“It’s a long way back from zero for two,” he said. “We got a lot of 30s and 40s but that’s not enough. Virat and Gambhir showed us how it’s done.” Meanwhile, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was again ignored as India retained the winning squad for the three remaining ODIs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2011.