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International Cricket

India skipper MS Dhoni says India were on the backfoot for most part of the third ODI because of rain interruptions.

India beat the West Indies by six wickets after Dhoni's last-over heroics chasing a target that had to be revised twice yesterday. The man of the match winning wicketkeeper batsman said it wasn't easy adjusting to the target changes.

"Everytime we thought we were in the game the Duckworth-Lewis method got us onto the backfoot. We couldn't use our second Power Play due to that," said Dhoni.

Openers were in full flow

The Indian skipper praised the openers of Gautam Gambhir and Dinesh Karthik for laying the foundation for a successful chase.

"It was a good effort by the openers. Once we get a good start we have the firepower to see the team home," said Dhoni, who scored unbeaten 46 runs.

He also felt that the bowlers did a good job.

"Getting Gayle out was the target and the bowlers did just that because there's no way you can stop him other than getting him out," said the skipper who would be looking to wrap up things in the last ODI at the same venue tomorrow.

Meanwhile, losing skipper Chris Gayle praised his opposite number but felt a bit more aggressiveness on the part of his bowlers could have helped the team win the match.

Frequent rain interruptions affected the West Indies momentum but Ramnaresh Sarwan ensured they registered a competitive 185 for seven from 27 overs.

However, thanks to a strong opening partnership between Karthik and Gambhir and Dhoni's heroics towards the end, India defeated the hosts to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

"We felt we had our chance after scoring 185. But we needed to be a bit more attacking at the start of the Indian innings," said Gayle at the post-match ceremony.

The skipper lamented the frequent stoppages due to rain.

"Weather made it difficult, but we can't do anything about it. In the end we tried to pull it off but credit to Dhoni, he saw the team home," Gayle added.