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Cape Town - India captain Virat Kohli reserved special praise for MS Dhoni after the veteran helped the visitors beat Australia by six wickets in the second ODI in Adelaide and level the three-match series at 1-1.
The 37-year-old Dhoni, who has had his place in India's ODI side questioned of late, struck an unbeaten 55 off 54 balls as India chased down a target 299 and won with four deliveries to spare.
Dhoni came to crease with the tourists on 160/3, still requiring another 139 off 118 deliveries, and put on 82 with Kohli, who scored 104.
When Kohli lost his wicket, India still needed 57 from seven overs and Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik (25 off 14 balls) saw the team over the line in the final over.
Kohli said about Dhoni's knock: "There's no doubt that he should be a part of this team. When you haven't played so much cricket (recently), you take a bit of time to get back into the groove, and tonight was an MS classic.
"He takes the game till the end, but only he knows what's going on in his mind, he calculates the game so well.
"He backs himself to hit those big shots when required. So hats off to him."
The India skipper also praised the role of Karthik, who came in and played with the right intent to take some pressure off Dhoni.
Kohli went on: "Dinesh as well, just taking a little bit of pressure off him at that stage when he (Dhoni) was tired.
"I think Dinesh came in and showed the right kind of intent and put those quick runs on the board that were required.
"But yes, MS was as composed as ever. He kept me calm in there as well. He thought I was going to get over-excited and play a bad shot, but that's how we bat well together.
"We try and help each other, and tonight was special for both of us."
The third and deciding game of the series will be played at the MCG in Melbourne on Friday.
