Chennai, Feb 16: Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India to an emphatic win over New Zealand in the warm-up game at the MA Chdambarm Stadium today. The skipper was in good nick with the bat hitting an unbeaten 108 to help India set the Kiwis a staggering target of 361.

Post-match, Dhoni spoke to the media about his form and the comprehensive victory.

Excerpts from the interaction

On his performance with the bat

It was a bit difficult to rotate [the strike]. If you wanted to take four-five per over consistently, it was [a] difficult wicket to do that. But because we had wickets in hand and big-hitters down the order, we were really able to achieve something that I think was a par plus score on this wicket.

On his form and the way he was able to hit the ball

Well, you know the last few games that I have failed it seems I have been in a hurry, looking to rotate right from very first delivery. But you know my game is bit different. I like spending [the] initial few minutes or deliveries [to settle in] - I have to do that. Play, get into the groove, then get going. Most of my good innings have been when I have started rotating initially and after that I have stayed till the end, [the] slog overs. You have to remind yourself that that is your strength. It was good to see other batsmen score runs, Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, the way [they] batted

On Suresh Raina’s form

It’s good to say all batters [are] scoring which means the eleven that will get selected for the first game, most of them will be in form. You will have to see the contribution of the part-time spinners because that’s a crucial part, especially if you play with four bowlers.

On the form of the seamers

Well, I think they need to improve but one of the things is they are not giving hundred percent effort in the practice game because it is important for us to have the best seamers for the first game. So that is one of the reasons why we have asked them not to give it that extra effort [and] save themselves for the league stages. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why it is reflecting on the field in this way. But I am pretty much sure that [with] the kind of talent they have got and when they start putting in hundred percent effort from the very first game, the result will be very different.