Stand-in skipper Dhoni happy with successful bowling changes

Elated after leading India to a series-equalling victory against South Africa, India's stand-in Test captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is particularly happy with the successful bowling changes he made today.

Skippering India in absence of regular Test captain Anil Kumble, Dhoni intelligently marshalled his bowlers and effected smart bowling changes to plot South Africa's peril.

"It was one of those days when everything worked in our favour. I made five changes (in the South Africa second innings) and got eight wickets," Dhoni said.

Dhoni sprang a surprise today by opening the attack with Harbhajan Singh and then cleverly rotated the bowlers not to allow the South African batsmen settle into a rhythm.

One instance was when he tossed the ball to Virender Sehwag and the part-time spinner removed Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis.

Dhoni admitted losing toss on this wicket pushed the hosts to the bakfoot but the team showed character to square the series.

"We were a slightly in the backfoot after losing the toss but everybody contributed to this win. It is a complete team effort," Dhoni said.

"Sourav Ganguly with fantastic with the bat and then (S) Sreesanth and Ishant (Sharma) played important knocks to stretch the first innings lead. And everybody who rolled arms got wickets. Bhajji bowled well throughout the series," he said.

Dhoni said it was a tough series with the conditions making it even tougher for both the sides.

"The heat and humidity made the series even tougher, but I'm happy with the result," he said. 

South African skipper Graeme Smith conceded India outplayed them in the Test but said they would return home with their heads high after the 1-1 series result. "India had been clinical throughout the Test. Their bowlers bowled at the right places. Their spinners played superb and it was difficult to play strokes.

"We did not bowl our best in India's first innings and some dropped catches resulted India taking a good lead. We could not put up a bigger score in the second innings, a total of 120-150 would not have been easy for the Indians to chase," he said.

Smith felt his team was having a fine run of form with good performances in Pakistan, Banglsdesh and here in India and this would be a morale booster before travelling to England.

"I think our team has achieved a lot recently and we would be in positive frame of mind before going to England." Man of the Match Sourav Ganguly praised the bowlers for bundling out the South Africans for a meagre score in their second innings.

"The bowlers set up the game for us, especially in South Africa's second innings. A target of 150 could have been difficult to chase (by India)," he said.

The former captain was happy that he had played a big role in the win, scoring 87 in the first innings and remaining not out 13 in the second.

"We were down 0-1 in the series and I played a role in squaring the series. From that perspective, I am happy with the way I played," he said.