"I honestly don't know what's a good performance now by a bowler, 80 runs in 10 overs or 60 in 10, because of the rule changes (one extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle)," said Dhoni at the post-match press conference after India beat Australia by six wickets to level the series 2-2.
"The bowlers are facing a huge challenge, but as you have seen over the years they adapt faster to the rules than the batsmen," he said.
Dhoni praised batsman Virat Kohli, the stand-out performer for India in the series and who smashed 115 not out off just 66 balls to help India chase down 351 today, for his heroics.
"Virat is talented and confident. He has grabbed the opportunity to bat at number three and keeps performing. He effortlessly won the game and made batting look so easy though the ball was reversing a bit. He is an outstanding player.
"But I also want to compliment Rohit Sharma (who made 79). He started slowly and was not able to find the gaps easily but never got under pressure and finally his strike rate was pretty decent," Dhoni said.
Dhoni defended the ploy of fielding three spinners in the game, by including Amit Mishra in the eleven.
"This ground is big and batsmen have to go over the top of fielders to get boundaries which gives spinners a chance to get them out. Our spinners bowled well in spells," he said.
He also supported Suresh Raina who flopped once again at his new number four position and said he needs to be given more time to cement this spot.
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