Dhoni takes the positives from SA series loss

After the Indian batsmen failed to show a spine in South Africa and lost the Test series 2-0, former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has offered support to the team, saying that one should look at the positive side which is the bowlers' formidable performance.

"I would say look at the positives. To win a Test match you need 20 wickets and we have taken 20 wickets. If you can't take 20 wickets, what is the next thing? You look to draw a Test match", Dhoni said while speaking at an event here.

The wicket-keeper-batsman added, "If you are not able to take 20 wickets, you can't win a Test match irrespective of whether you are playing in India or you are playing outside. But that's the biggest positive, we are taking 20 wickets which means you are always in a position to win a Test match. Once you start scoring runs you are there".

India received a 72-run defeat from South Africa in the Cape Town Test and also lost the second Test at Centurion by 135 runs.

Following the two-Test match and a series loss, Indian all time skipper Virat Kohli, who took over from Dhoni, has been under fire for the team's poor performance overseas.

This is Kohli's first series loss as a full-time skipper.

India has never won a series in South Africa in past 25 years and the recent defeat has prolonged their wait for a much-awaited win.

They will now face South Africa for the third and concluding Test from January 24 at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.