Colombo: WHEN India were on the receiving end during the Test series against Sri Lanka which ended with a 2-1 victory for the hosts, former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana observed that Anil Kumble's team was missing the balance provided by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

As it has turned out, Kalu's analysis were spot on. Dhoni's entry in the team for the one-day series changed the course of India's fortunes.

Match-winner

"Dhoni has been a match-winner for India and he proved it again in the ODI series. His presence makes a big difference. He was very positive in his batting; very confident with the decisions he takes. After the Test series defeat, India were looking for someone to lift them and Dhoni rose to the occasion in style. He is a big-match player," Colombo-based Kalu told MiD DAY yesterday.

Though disappointed at Sri Lanka's first ODI series defeat at home to India, Kalu said the result was good for the game. "At the end of the day, the fans want to see good cricket and India showed how to rise from a tough situation. It was a very good series," he said.

After being crushed in the first ODI, India won the next three matches in a row to clinch the series 3-1 to make today's final ODI inconsequential.

The difference between the two teams Kalu believed was the way India gelled together as a unit. "India did the little things right and played well as a team. The new-ball efforts of Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel were brilliant. They were successful in keeping Sanath (Jayasuriya) and Kumar Sangakkara quiet and it made a big difference."

Big factor

The conquering of spin freak Ajantha Mendis was a big factor in the historic win. "The Indian batsmen realised the mistakes they (the seniors) had committed in the Tests. They seem to have put in a lot of hard work to prepare for Mendis. They must have watched his videos and understood his variations better. Their planning against him was impressive. They seemed to read him from his hand," signed off Kalu.