Durban, Dec 29: Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday lauded his teammates on an emphatic 87-run that has helped them square the three-Test series against South Africa. The Indian bowlers successfully defended the target of 303 runs as the hosts succumbed to their disciplined line and length on Day 4 of the thrilling Test.

Dhoni praised his bowlers but sounded a word of caution for the batsmen who he feels fell short of their standards in both innings.

Excerpts from an interview

On his team’s comeback in the series

Well of course, it was important, especially after the first Test. I think the first innings was very was disappointing in that Test match but after that we came back nicely when it came to batting. But we were a bit worried about winning the Test match which requires the team to take 20-odd wickets. But [I'm] very pleased with the performance of the bowlers out here.

On losing the toss again

Well, that has been part of the last few matches, me losing the toss. I think somewhere at the back of their heads all [the players] knew that I would lose the toss out here. But, frankly speaking, I don’t think the wicket misbehaved the way it was looking [it would] before the start of the game. So I think 200-odd runs or close to 200-odd runs was a good score. Of course, you know, [if] I could have got a bit more than that I would have been pleased. But whatever we had [scored], I think [our] bowlers made use of the conditions quite well and got [South Africa] out very cheaply, which meant we got a 75-odd runs lead. But [in the] second innings the batting was a bit disappointing. Most of the time when you win a Test match, you know it all goes under the win. But frankly speaking we need to improve that and hopefully we will the third Test.

On Zaheer Khan’s comeback into the team

I always say [Zaheer Khan] has been the best fast bowler that we have got in the past couple of years and whenever he [gets] on the field he comes up with a plan. He is very good at executing those plans and if [they don't work] then he quickly comes up with Plan B. He is one bowler who helps others perform also. So when it comes to the fast bowling department, he is the one who takes control. And Harbhajan [Singh has performed] for us for the past ten years. Of course it's good to have him in the side. The other end where [Harbhajan Singh] was bowling there was not much for the bowlers [...] which meant he had to go for long spells which [is what he] did.