India may have pulled off the all-important win in the third ODI against West Indies, but skipper MS Dhoni says the team were on the backfoot for most part of the match because of rain interruptions.

“Everytime we thought we were in the game the Duckworth-Lewis method got us onto the backfoot. We couldn’t use our second powerplay due to that,” said Dhoni.

Coach Gary Kirsten said he drew comfort from Dhoni’s presence at the crease. “Someone like MS Dhoni can hit the ball out of the ground any time so it was comforting knowing that we had him at the crease controlling the game,” said Kirsten.

“He’s had a magnificent series and he’s played some really good one-day cricket for us. When it comes down to the wire it can go either way, the most important thing is that you have game-breakers and match-winners in at that situation,” said Kirsten.

He also felt that the bowlers did a good job. “Getting Gayle out was the target and the bowlers did just that. Because there’s no way you can stop him other than getting him out,” said the skipper.

Kirsten admitted chasing a rain-truncated match also helped India’s cause. “It definitely helps a team batting second in this type of set up. It did suit us to be batting second because you can dictate the game a little better when the overs are shortening in terms of what you need,” he said.

The electronic scoreboard on the ground had stopped functioning towards the end of the match but Kirsten said he ensured that the batsmen in the middle were well aware of the target. “It was mind-blowing to be honest, but the umpires were giving them notice every over so they knew what was going on,” he said.

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