Mahendra Singh Dhoni Says Surviving West Indies Scare Good for Team India in World Cup 2015

The Indian team was expected to roll over West Indies in their World Cup match in Perth. Instead, the team huffed and puffed to a four-wicket win, courtesy an unbeaten 45 from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. At No. six in the line-up, Dhoni felt it was good that the lower-middle order was tested on a pacey wicket well ahead of the knockout stage. (Complete World Cup 2015 coverage | Photos | Schedule | Points Table | History)

"It was a good chance to test out lower middle order," said Dhoni after the match. "It was a difficult target, because you don't know whether to go and play your shots."

India are currently unbeaten in Pool B but their fourth consecutive win came after several batting hiccups. Chasing a rather unimpressive Windies total of 182, the power-hitters were silence by a determined pace attack from the Men in Maroon. It was only when Dhoni took centrestage that Indian fans at WACA were able to breathe once again.

While Dhoni played a very mature knock, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan (9), Rohit Sharma (7), Virat Kohli (33), Ajinkya Rahane (14) and Suresh Raina (22) fell at key stages of the game. In fact, even Ravindra Jadeja couldn't support his captain and it was left to Ravichandran Ashwin to hang on and hold one end up.

"Ashwin played well, Jadeja will have to step up, I feel," observed Dhoni who also admitted that the pacey wicket was not the easiest to bat on. "I think it was a difficult wicket, even initially with the new ball. There was some variable bounce, it was doing a bit. It settled down later, there was some swing for the West Indies bowlers as well."

While Windies bowlers were on the mark indeed, it was Mohammed Shami who stole the limelight with his bowling. Making his comeback after a one-match injury lay-off, the Bengal pacer claimed three wickets after West Indies opted to bat first.

He was adjudged man of the match for his efforts and such performances can bear bigger fruits in New Zealand where India next play Ireland. "The last time we were in New Zealand, there were true wickets," said Dhoni. "We'll have to see what kind of wickets are provided," said Dhoni.

India's next match is on Tuesday (March 10). Will the team continue with its playing XI or will the side experiment as a quarters berth is assured? Either way, the team will continue to be the overwhelming favourites to retain their unbeaten streak.