Dhoni, Kedar took responsibility but bowlers won us match: Kohli

India skipper Virat Kohli said it were the bowlers who did a brilliant job to restrict Aussies to 236/7 and set up their six-wicket win over the visitors in the first ODI on Saturday

India skipper Virat Kohli lauded Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav, who produced a clinical batting performance as India took a 1-0 lead in the five match series but said it were the bowlers who did a brilliant job to restrict Aussies to 236/7 and set up their six-wicket win over the visitors in the first ODI on Saturday.

Dhoni came in to bat when skipper Virat Kohli and Rohti Sharma were back in the hut and India were at 99/4. Wearing their brand new jerseys, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (59 not out off 72 balls) and Jadhav (87-ball 81) forged a 141-run unfinished partnership to script a memorable chase.

"It was a difficult sort of a game. We did a good job with the ball. You have experience with MS and flair with Kedar. I think Kedar and MS took responsibility, it was great. I think the bowling (won the game for us)," Kohli said.

Shami (2/44) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/46) scalped two wickets and Kohli said India's bowling performance augurs well for the team as they head to the World Cup in a few months' time.

"Kuldeep's been doing it for a while. I have never seen him (Shami) so lean. Got Maxi out with a beautiful ball. I haven't seen him so hungrier. Heading into the WC, it's a great sign for India."

On Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled two miserly spells to keep the visitors under tight leash, Kohli said: "Ten overs for less than 35 is a great job on this pitch. He set his fields on his game. He is a great asset in the field too."

Kedar was adjudged the Man of the Match for taking a wicket and top-scoring with a 87-ball 81, which was studded with nine boundaries and a six.

Talking about his bowling, Kedar said: "My bowling is all about reading batsmen's mind. I tried to bowl stump-to-stump. I don't think like I'm a bowler. I enjoy my responsibility."

During India's recent tour of Australia, Kedar and Dhoni had starred in a successful chase in Melbourne in January and the Maharashtra batsman said having the former skipper at the other end eased his mind as he looked to take the chase deep.

"Recently in Australia, we pulled off similar kind of chase. I just did that again today. I tried to learn a lot from him (MS). MS and Cheeku (Virat Kohli) are the best chasers in the game," Kedar said.

"That's what we learn from the captain and that's what we tried to do. I tried to play more shots early. He reads your mind, team needs more solidity. Every time you think the team, most of the times, you'll end up on the winning side."

India will play Australia in the second ODI on March 5.

(With PTI inputs)