New Zealand vs India: Series loss a blessing in disguise for MS Dhoni and Co., says Rahul Dravid

Before leaving Indian shores, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt the tour of New Zealand would be an ideal exposure for the youngsters in the team to prepare for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. (Read: Lack of bench strength worrying for visitors, says Dilip Vengsarkar)

With the way the young brigade has performed, Dhoni must have got a reality check of the shortcomings in his team. Except in the third match where the visitors managed to tie the game, it has been New Zealand all the way. (Read: Virat Kohli inches closer to No.1 ODI ranking)

While the Indian team aims for that elusive win against New Zealand in the fifth and final one-day international at Wellington today, Rahul Dravid sees the failure as a blessing in disguise for Dhoni & Co. "It is okay to have a bad tournament now than having a bad time in the World Cup. So, it might be a blessing in disguise for the team. (Read: Glenn McGrath to Team India pacers' rescue)

It (this tournament) would give them (team management) a fair idea of what players they would like (during the World Cup)," Dravid, who scored 425 at an average of 38.64 in 12 ODIs in New Zealand, told MiD-Day on Friday. (Read: Should stick with Dhawan, Rohit as openers, says Wasim Jaffer)

It is not just the bowlers who have struggled. Batsmen too have found the going tough. Apart from the skipper and Virat Kohli, no batsman has looked convincing at the crease. In the bowling line-up, only Mohammad Shami looked threatening. (Read: Openers ruined India's campaign in New Zealand, says Sunil Gavaskar)

Dravid is positive about the Indian team doing well at next year's World Cup. "I am sure they have learnt a lot from this tour to New Zealand. There are some smart guys in that team.

Winning or losing is one thing, but they gained a lot of exposure from this tour which would help them in a year's time when they go there again," the former India skipper signed off.