Dhoni welcomes decision to rest senior bowlers for ODIs against Kiwis

Dharamsala [Himachal Pradesh], Oct. 15 (ANI): India's limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday backed the national selectors' decision to rest some of the senior players for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, saying it gives an opportunity to find new talents. "If you see this team, we have to keep the rest of the season also in mind. We are playing 13 Tests in this season followed by IPL and Champions Trophy. There is very little break in the middle. I think it is a good decision to a rest a few players. At times, we have to keep a long time view. Its gives us an opportunity to see few new players and it will be good to see the bench strength. We will be playing eight ODI matches before the Champions Trophy. So, whatever we have we can see in these games where we are going," Dhoni said. Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and seamer Mohammed Shami have been rested for the first three ODIs following their dominating performance in the recently-concluded successful Test series against New Zealand. India have now decided to field a relatively inexperienced bowling attack which includes Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav. Dhoni admitted that he is looking forward to the performances of these two bowlers. "If you see (Jasprit) Bumrah, he has done really well for us. He has become like the banker especially when it comes to death bowling. In the similar way, we will see what others have to offer. Umesh is getting a chance again to play at this level. He is someone, who has developed his bowling especially in limited overs cricket. It will be a good chance for him to express himself. Dhawal (Kulkarani) is someone, who has done consistently well in the domestic circuit," he said. The wicketkeeper-batsman also hinted that he might bat up the order than his usual position in the upcoming ODI series. "I may bat slightly bat up the order now. This team gives me that opportunity to bat at the position where I am looking to. Still it will be quite low, it's not like a number 4 but it will be relatively higher to the position where I used to bat in the last few years," Dhoni said. Meanwhile, Dhoni also said that he has started using Test skipper Virat Kohli's advice more often on the field, keeping in mind the change in transition that is happening across different formats of the game. "I have started using him more. There is more interaction. It's evident if you watch the game. Two individuals will conduct in different ways. The practical way is very important. A lot of time you can argue on the theory aspect, but practicality is what is during the game," he added. India have recently completed a three-match Test series whitewash against New Zealand and they will look forward to replicate the same when they head into the five-match ODI series against the Kane Williamson-led side from Sunday in Dharamsala. (ANI)