Despite having lost the Test series to South Africa after defeat in the second match at Centurion, former skipper MS Dhoni believes India can take some positives from the performance of their bowling attack.
Speaking at the sidelines of an event, the limited-overs stalwart told the Associated Press that Virat Kohli and his men can take comfort from the fact that they now have a bowling attack capable of picking up 20 wickets in overseas pitches.
“To win a Test match, you need to take 20 wickets, we have taken 20 wickets. If you can’t take 20 wickets, the next option is to draw a Test match. How you can draw a Test match is by giving less runs and by scoring runs. Third option is there is no option because you are always looking for a win,” Dhoni said.
“If you cannot take 20 wickets, you cannot win a Test irrespective of where you play — at home or outside. That’s a biggest positive, that we are taking 20 wickets,” the wicket-keeper batsman added.
India’s bowlers have picked up 20 wickets in both of the Tests so far.
In both the Test defeats so far on the tour, India have managed to wipe out the opposition in both innings but it has been their weakness in batting which has let them down.
Dhoni was of the opinion that overseas victories are not far away if the side could sort out the batting.
“When we can take 20 wickets, this means we are always in a position to win Test match. Once you start scoring runs, you will be there,” the 36-year-old said to conclude.
The third and final Test between the two sides will get underway on January 24 before the attention shifts to the limited-overs series.