Sydney: Happy with India’s thrilling win over Australia in the last match of the five-match ODI series, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that India played competitive cricket throughout the series but somehow failed to close it down well in the first four matches. The skipper was also in praise for young Manish Pandey, who scored his maiden century and helped India win the match.

“I think we have been competitive in the series. The goal was to win matches and in the first four games, we were close, but didn't close it down well,” said Dhoni, adding that in the ODI format every over mattered, especially in a high-scoring game. “Giving those 15-20-run overs makes it slightly easier for the opposition.”

Praising the top order batsmen of Team India, Dhoni was all praise for young Manish Pandey who scored a century in India’s winning cause. “The top order has been together for a long time now. Manish did really well today. He paced his innings very well. He definitely has a good future,” said Dhoni, adding that India have been hurt a little bit in the lower-order batting. “Also we have not had a settled bowling attack and we have to improve our fielding slightly.”

Meanwhile, Australian skipper Steven Smith said he was proud of his players who played fantastic cricket in the series. “It’s been a pretty big run-scoring feast. Very proud of the way the players have played in this series. Tonight was a master class in chasing from India. We missed a few opportunities in the field, but that happens in cricket. We have to move on and improve. The T20s are a different format, and there is a World Cup around the corner, so the boys are raring to go.”