Amit Mishra Deserved Man Of The Series Award: Sunil Gavaskar

Amit Mishra spun India to victory in the fifth ODI against New Zealand, helping India clinch the series 3-2. Virat Kohli ended the ODI series with a mammoth 358 runs but was pipped by Mishra, who took 15 wickets, for the Man of the series award and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said the leg-spinner was a deserved winner.

Mishra picked five for 18 and helped India register a massive 190-run win after New Zealand were bowled out for a paltry 79 in the fifth and final ODI on Saturday.

In the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, regular spinners in the limited overs team, Mishra led the attack and proved his worth as a leading option ahead of next year's Champions Trophy.

"Amit Mishra has broken through partnerships, got India wickets, deserved man of the series award. Leg spinners can be match winners if used properly as Amit Mishra proved here," Gavaskar told NDTV.

"Mahendra Singh Dhoni invited Mishra to toss the ball up. When captain encourages bowlers half the battle is won."

With India's next assignment against visiting England, Gavaskar believed Team India should pursue a three-pronged spin attack against the Englishman.

"A three-man spin attack will be good against England if they get similar pitches," he said.

Gavaskar also hailed the Indian youngsters, with many getting their opportunity in the series against New Zealand. The former India captain said that Kedhar Jadhav was the pick of the bowlers.

"This is the best time to be a selector because you are spoilt for choice, many options available. The youngsters in the team are all very promising. Kedhar Jadhav was the pick of the youngsters in the series.

Gavaskar, meanwhile, defended Dhoni's captaincy, saying his handling of the spinners had proved the critics wrong.

"People asking about MS Dhoni's captaincy need to look at how he used Kedhar Jadhav. The series win will give MS Dhoni will give him big confidence."

The former India captain also heaped praise on Kohli, who was again amongst the runs in the fifth ODI - scoring a solid 65 that helped India post 269 on a sluggish Vizag wicket.

"Kohli is relishing the responsibility, he looked after Rohit Sharma and let him play his natural game. Not only is he taking on the responsibility but also helping other batsmen around him," said Gavaskar.