Dhoni not discouraged by New Zealand series loss

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was eager to accentuate the positive after a surprising test series loss to New Zealand, saying his team will improve when it gets more experience in the five-day game.

New Zealand took the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first test at Auckland by 40 runs and drawing the second which ended at Wellington on Tuesday.

India also lost its recent two-test series in South Africa but Dhoni believes better days are on the horizon.

"Right from South Africa we have shown that we are a side that is very talented and with more time together we will be a much better side," Dhoni said.

"We knew it would be slightly tough because our side has not many players who have played over five, six or seven test matches. It means it was good exposure for all of them."

Dhoni said New Zealand's record score of 680-8 in the second innings was more of a credit to the home team's batsmen than it was a condemnation of his bowlers.

"Brendon (McCullum) and (B.J.) Watling came in and batted well, I don't think it was bad bowling just that they kept the good deliveries out and kept scoring runs," Dhoni said.

"Once you're fielding for two or two and a half days I need to personally appreciate how our bowlers took the challenge. Even when we took the third new ball they were still willing to go in and give their best and try to get the batsmen out."

India now heads home for the Asia Cup series before the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh in March, then faces a full tour of England with five test matches.