Indian skipper Rahul Dravid on Wednesday showered accolades on Mahendra Singh
Dhoni, saying that the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman has become a mature
cricketer and has learnt to adapt his game to situation. 
"He (Dhoni) has a mature head. He plays different cricket
for different situations. If we need a quickfire innings, he plays that and
if we need a controlled innings he plays that," Dravid said after India
posted a five wicket win against Sri Lanka in the third One-dayer.
Dhoni scored a crucial 67 not out while stitching a match-winning
stand of 133 runs with Dravid (66) that helped India recover from a precarious
94-4.
Dravid was furious at himself for getting out with four runs
required for victory, although he was run out in unfortunate manner, when he
backed too far and Dhoni`s shot ricocheted off bowler Malinga Bandara`s
hand on to the non-striker`s stumps.
The captain said he wanted to stay till the end and did not
want to repeat the mistake of last match when India, chasing a target
of 258, slumped from 235 for five and were bowled out for 252.
"We did not want to lose another wicket at that stage. We know that it
is not easy chasing on these wickets. We were totally determined to finish it
off this time," he said.
Dravid also praised Zaheer Khan (5-42) for his fiery
bowling that spelt disaster for Sri Lanka in the morning. "It was a great
effort by the bowlers, especially Zaheer upfront. But 230 was a good effort
by Sri Lanka."
Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena said his side never
recovered from the bad start in the morning. "It was set back right at
the start (Sri Lanka were 6/3) Zaheer bowled very well. But we made a good recovery
and came back strongly," he said.
"Rahul and Dhoni batted very well. At that time I could
not attack more and they controlled the innings very well." Man-of-the
match Zaheer Khan said, "the rhythm in last few months has been good. I
am happy to peak at the right time for the World Cup."
Asked about his comeback in the Indian team and the stint in county cricket
Zaheer said, "I did a lot of bowling there and that really helped."
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