Dhoni happy to win tri-series without Sachin, Sehwag

Colombo, Aug 30 (PTI) More than breaking a long-standing
jinx, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is happy with the
fact that he led the side to a historic O.D.I. series win in
Sri Lanka in the absence of star players Sachin Tendulkar and
Virender Sehwag.

Talking to reporters after his side lost the
inconsequential fifth O.D.I. against Sri Lanka last night,
Dhoni said the team did miss a few players but the youngsters
responded well to fill in the vacuum.

"It is not about depending or not depending (on a few
players). Of course it is an achievement but you can not just
sit back on it and say we won the Twenty20 (World Cup), the
tri-series in Australia or now here in Sri Lanka. You have to
continue doing it," said Dhoni, insisting winning should be a
habit for the side.

"If you have players like Sachin and Sehwag, it really
helps in doing and achieving these things consistently. But it
(their absence) is not really in control, because at times you
will have injuries.

"We didn't have Ishant (Sharma), we didn't have Sachin
and Veeru (Sehwag) who was in prime form. But it is upto other
individuals to take up the responsibility, because there is no
point in sitting and sulking about guys who are not there.

"They are the guys who are part of the 16 who can really
make a difference and they were doing just that," Dhoni said,
before adding "But of course you miss individuals, specially
the great players."

Looking back, Dhoni said India negated the threat from
Sri Lanka's two-pronged spin attack and played well in the
20-40 over stretch to win the series 3-2.

"In the middle, it is very important to rotate strike and
we have been able to do that. We have got the partnership. We
have played the spinners well. We negotiated (Muttiah)
Murali(tharan) well. I think we played him really well. It has
been tough over the years to play Murali in Sri Lanka. I think
we tackled (Ajantha) Mendis quite well too," Dhoni said.

"Overall, I was quite impressed by the way we performed
from the 20th till the 40th over. Of course in some games we
lost wickets and you are really not in a position to do
anything, but that is part and parcel (of the game)," he said.

Dhoni skipped the Test series due to fatigue and he said
the break really helped him.

"I really enjoyed the break and the main thing is, I was
enjoying the practice session more and it sets a good trend.

"You have to give 100 per cent there as well, you just
can not bat for 20 minutes and go under the shade. When you
feel from inside to go under the shade, that is the time when
you realise your body needs a bit of rest.

"I was happy to get some rest, thanks to the selectors
and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (B.C.C.I.) When
I came back here I really enjoyed the
couple of sessions that I had in Bangalore. They were tough.
It was skill-related and I really enjoyed the sessions. I was
doing the keeping and batting and also enjoyed fielding," he
said.

Dhoni also took the occasion and thanked the selectors
for backing him.

"When you have the right side it helps. It is not about
just randomly picking someone. The guys who have performed
well in the domestic circuit and others have been picked up in
the side," he said.