New Delhi, Oct 17: Having defeated England for the second time in a row in the ongoing ODI series at Feroz Shah Kotla the Indians were jubilant with their performance. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni attributed the change in form to friendlier playing conditions at home while speaking to the media in the post-match conference.

“It’s always good to play everywhere in the world. Especially in this game it was lovely to see three super soakers and few people running around with the ropes. If that was there in England, then maybe we could have changed the result because that wet ball played a major role, especially with our spinners. Yes, it’s good to win games. The youngsters are stepping-up and coming up with performances that’s really needed at the international level, both with the ball and the bat,” Dhoni remarked.

Speaking about his team’s performance MSD observed, “What’s good to see is we have been able to chase scores which are considered slightly difficult. We have been able to chase scores close to 290 odd runs or 280 or 270, so I think we have improved as a team when it comes to chasing more than decent amount of runs. I think, overall, it’s a big team contribution. “

The highlights of the second ODI here were the performances of Vinay Kumar (four for 30) and Umesh Yadav (two wickets) earlier in the day. Later in the game, a brilliant, unbroken partnership for 209 runs between Gautam Gambhir (84*) and Virat Kohli (112*) ensured a comfortable victory for India.

Discussing the duo’s batting, Dhoni said, “He [Virat Kohli] has batted really well. Again, [as] I have said, it’s very important to give youngsters the kind of opportunity where they can improve as cricketers. They need to bat more and more in the ODIs, especially top of the order because there they will learn how to convert starts into big innings. Once you get to 20 or 25 odd runs, it’s very important to get to fifty and once you reach fifty, try to convert it to hundred. He [Kohli] is going through that phase. Of course he has done really well, but there will come a phase where he will have to change his innings a bit, depending on the kind of wicket where we play. He is still going through a stage where he is improving as a cricketer so it’s really good to see him score runs.”

Although Gambhir played second fiddle to Kohli’s knock, his patient innings was crucial to India’s victory. Stressing on the significance of the No. 3 batsman’s innings, the Indian captain said, “Gautam [Gambhir] batted really well because batting at No. 3, especially in this game, [where] the English bowlers were getting a bit of swing, we had to get some kind of a partnership going. 240 odd runs with the kind of wicket it was, was a slightly under-par score. I think he [Gambhir] batted really well and that partnership between him and Virat Kohli was good.”

After going 2-0 up in the five-match ODI series, India and England will play their third tie in Mohali on Thursday, October 20. Earlier, in the post-match presentation, when commentator and former cricketer Ravi Shastri had asked Dhoni about winning the series 5-0, the Indian skipper had replied that India will be taking one game at a time.