India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni summed up the limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe as "good exposure" for the youngsters but insisted that the players learnt more from the T20s than the ODIs.
India wrapped up a successful tour of Zimbabwe with a 2-1 T20 series win here today after posting a 3-0 whitewash in the preceding ODI series.
However, India survived a mighty last-ball scare before clinching the three-match series with a nervy three-run win over a spirited Zimbabwe in the third and final Twenty20 International here.
"The ODI and T20 series were good exposure for the youngsters. Personally I feel we got more from the T20s than the ODIs," said Dhoni at the post match presentation ceremony.
Zimbabwe shocked India with a win in the opening T20 match before the visiting team bounced back in the second game. Third match also went down to the wire before India managed to prevail over the hosts in a closely-fought contest.
"Usually in this format, the games get close. Zimbabwe did well, batted and bowled well," admitted Dhoni, adding, "They need more games to get better."
On the captain himself not getting to bat much during the series, Dhoni said, "Difficult one, we did what was right to put in the opposition (in the ODIs). We decided to do what was the right way to play cricket."
Dhoni said that this series helped the team develop a pool of 10-12 fast bowlers.
"In fast bowling department, we need a good pool of players. Now we can proudly say we have 10-12 players who can play for the country," he said.
Needing 21 runs off the final over, Zimbabwe almost achieved the target as they required just four runs from the last ball, but Barinder Sran, player of the series, held his nerves for a dramatic finish to the game.
"21 runs is a lot for the final over. I was confident we were going to win. Started with a different plan but then changed it," said Sran.
Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer said he was happy with way his boys fought back after the ODI whitewash.
"Disappointing (that we lost today), but happy with the way the guys fought in the T20 series. One-day series was a tough beating and it was important to make a comeback in the T20 series. Nice to get a few more games. If we carry on playing, we'll get better," said Cremer.
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Explaining the approach of their fast bowlers, Morgan said the Eden Gardens wicket helped them execute their plans well.
"Giving a wicket that offered more, helped them and actually rewarded them for good, discipline line and length. We were always open to what we wanted to do. The bowler has his options as well. I think because there was bounce and carry, when you hit a good length, there was something on offer. So we encouraged them to hit the wicket hard and try and extract anything in there," he said.
"India outplayed us in the first two games but this win was important. You can try hard but without wins it damages the team's confidence."
Jadhav, who scored 90 runs today, he planned to play all six balls of the last over, in which India needed 16 runs.
"I was planning to play all six balls, I knew if I could do that the bowler will be under pressure. Just that the ball I got out to, I was not in position to hit the big shot, I was still moving and that is why I mistimed," he said.
Asked about his cool and calm demeanour under pressure, the Maharashtra batsman credited MS Dhoni for his transformation.
"The thing is, since the time I came in the team, I've been spending a lot of time with Dhoni and it has helped me deal with situations calmly."
Jadhav said he and Pandya planned to play till the end.
"First game when I was in the middle, with Virat, this is the time where you can learn how to finish games and that is what I told Hardik as well. If we play to our potential through the end, we would win. I was more happy if we would have won this game but I am satisfied with what I have done in this series. I can still improve."
Ben Stokes was the Man of the Match for his 57 off 39 and 3 for 63 in his 50th ODI.
"It was a difficult time last time we came here, put it down to good captaincy from Morgan getting my overs out of the way before the end. It was difficult to start, the ball was not necessarily going through the top, but it was going a bit.
