Looking to improve our death bowling: Dhawan

Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan Friday acknowledged India's bowling in the death overs as a tender spot, an area where they are currently working on.

"We are looking to improve our bowling towards the end of the innings. We have improved our death-bowling since the England tour. Mohammed Shami took three wickets towards the end in Kochi. Things will get better," said Dhawan on the eve of the second One-Day International (ODI) to be played at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Saturday.

"But we are not overtly concerned by it since it was the first game of the series. The spinners did give away runs, but it is part and parcel of the game. Sometimes they get hit but it's not that it happens in every match."

India lost the first of the five ODIs at Kochi Wednesday by a massive 124 runs. Apart from medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Ravindra Jadeja, all other bowlers went for more than six an over.

However, Dhawan expressed satisfaction with his present form. The left hander was the lone bright spot among the Indian batsman in Kochi where he scored 68 runs.

"Last one year has been a learning experience for me as I have seen both success and failure. But if you don't know what failure is, you won't be able to enjoy success. I am learning everyday. Those six innings that I failed in the India-England Test series will probably help me to play 50 good innings," the 28-year-old said.

The Delhi lad added that his poor form in England has made him a more matured batsman and praised Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the role his skipper has played in his batting form reversal.

"I have learnt more about my batting, identified my strengths and weaknesses. I am constantly learning new things and adding to my game. It's very important for a player to have his captain's backing him during a lean patch. I have received a lot of support from the captain," said Dhawan.

"Dhoni has been the skipper for so long and he knows what a player needs. Even the support staff backed me to play my natural game."

Dhawan, who hails from Delhi, also spoke of his enthusiasm to play his maiden international match at his home ground.

"It has always been a nice batting pitch. I have played in Delhi for many years so I know what to expect at the ground," signed off Dhawan, who plays in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi.

--Indo-Asian news Service

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