Dhoni happy with tie but rues his side did not grab chances

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday rued that his side did not grab the chances that came their way in the tied third cricket one-dayer against New Zealand here but said he was happy that the visitors can at least draw the five-match series.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday rued that his side did not grab the chances that came their way in the tied third cricket one-dayer against New Zealand here but said he was happy that the visitors can at least draw the five-match series.

"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," he said after the third ODI ended in a tie to leave New Zealand 2-0 up in the series.

"It would have been better had we won today and thought of wining the series. But overall, I am happy we tied the game today to keep ourselves alive. Even if we can't win the series, we can go for the draw," Dhoni added.

Chasing 315 for a win, India ended at 314 for nine with Ravindra Jadeja (66 not out) very nearly pulling off a sensational victory though he failed to take the visitors home in the end. India will now have have to win the remaining two matches in Hamilton (January 28) and Wellington (January 31).

Dhoni said the run chase could have been easier had India restricted New Zealand less than the 314 they scored.

"I think the straight boundaries were quite short, and overall 300 would have been fantastic. We had a chance to restrict them but we couldn't quite do it," he said.

"The bowlers who bowled quick, their strengths are all about going full and going for yorkers. And, when it does not happen that way, then you got hit," he said, talking about his bowlers' performance.

He patted Jadeja and R Ashwin (65), who shared 85 runs for the seventh wicket to raise India's hopes of a stunning win, for their gutsy efforts.

"I had faith in them (Ashwin and Jadeja), but my problems started when Jadeja told Bhuvi 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 that he's someone who can definitely bat like a batsman. He has improved his power hitting as well, which he has been working on."