Dhoni plays down one-day loss

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is keen to "start from scratch" after winning the ODI series

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni claims defeat to New Zealand in the final one-day international will have no bearing on the Test series.

The Kiwis triumphed by eight wickets in Auckland yesterday, although the result was little more than a consolation after they lost the previous three completed matches.

However, an unconcerned Dhoni said: “Before the start of the one-day series we had lost two Twenty20 games and the same question was asked.

“It’s not about what we have done. We have to start from scratch again. Nothing changes - you have to perform at your best.

“I don’t think it matters when it comes to the last game of a one-day series.”

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori disagreed, claiming the performance of his side, and particularly the bowlers, was a huge fillip heading into a three-Test series which starts on Wednesday.

Jesse Ryder claimed 3-29 off nine overs in Auckland - his best figures in ODIs - while Kyle Mills showed a return to form with 1-27 off seven.

Jacob Oram, who will not play in the first Test, took 2-22 in a match reduced to 43 overs per side after rain delayed the start.

“(The win) puts us in a good space,” Vettori said. “If you lose a series outright 4-0 you can get demoralised. The guys will take that confidence into the Test series.”

But with India due to welcome back Sachin Tendulkar following a stomach muscle strain, and Test specialists Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman set to bolster their already impressive batting line-up, Vettori knows the challenge is far from over.

“It’s nice for us to finish on a winning note but we still understand that we have been outplayed and haven’t lived up to our own expectations,” Vettori added.

“We can take a bit of momentum into the Test series. It’s going to be a massive challenge with Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman coming back into the mix.”