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Gros Islet (St. Lucia), July 1 (IANS) Ahead of the third one-day international against the West Indies Friday, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said his batsmen need to be cautious in handling new-ball bowlers Ravi Rampaul and Jerome Taylor who scripted the visitors downfall in the second ODI.


Dhoni said what separates the two bowlers from the pack is their ability to extract pace and swing even from a docile surface.

Comeback man Rampaul picked up a career best 4-37 while Taylor bagged three for 35 to reduce India to 82 for eight before Dhoni's valiant 95 saved them the blushes. However, the fiery spell from the two bowlers upfront was enough for the hosts to level the four-match series 1-1.

Dhoni said Taylor and Rampaul bowled well on a pitch that had nothing for the bowlers.

"I don't think there was much of a help for the bowlers in the pitch. They bowled really well, they were swinging the ball well and, after that they were able to get reverse swing," Dhoni said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Rampaul has battled multiple injuries throughout his career. He has played 34 ODIs scattered over a six-year period and has claimed 30 wickets. His potential, though, was never in doubt.

"Rampaul swings the ball really well, bowls in the right areas. He forces you to play a big shot like the cover drive," said Dhoni.

While Rampaul relied more on swing, Taylor had the Indian batsmen in trouble with the short stuff.

Rampaul said he has grown in confidence after the performance at Sabina Park Sunday.

"It was a good return to international cricket with a performance like this. It has really helped me to come back and improve my confidence a lot," Rampaul said.

"I have been working hard in trying to return to the team. I felt good bowling with the new ball. I got a bit of swing and picked up a couple of wickets," said Rampaul, who is likely to get a call for the Test series against Bangladesh later this month.

West Indies will play the last two ODIs against India at the Beausejour Stadium, Friday and Sunday.

© IANS