Awed Coulter-Nile heaps praise on Dhoni, Shami

Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile was in awe at MS Dhoni and Mohammed Shami for their contributions to India's six-wicket win in the first One-Day-International (ODI) here at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Hyderabad: Nathan Coulter-Nile also expected that the rest of the matches in the series going to be tighter affairs.

While Dhoni played unbeaten 59 runs knock off 72 balls and guided Kedar Jadhav throughout India's successful chase, fast bowler Mohammed Shami took two wickets for 44 runs in 10 overs.

“Some things didn’t go our way. MS chipped the ball right in front of the fielders a couple of times but he played a hell of an innings. Credit to India for batting really well,” Coulter-Nile said.

Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav built 141-run fifth wicket partnership that took the match away from Australia. Before the duo took charge of the match India were struggling at 99 for 4.

“India are 1-0 up in the series so they’ve got the upper hand, but I think it was a really closely fought game. We played well, they played better in the end, but the teams were close and the next four games should be even tighter," Coulter-Nile said.

Shami is a fantastic bowler

Coulter-Nile, who bowled really well in the match picking up two wickets, was all praise for his Indian counterpart Mohammed Shami, who was economical with the ball in hand and made sure Australia didn't get chance to get back to their mojo.

“I think Shami is a fantastic bowler,” he said.

The 31-year-old right-arm fast bowler also said that Shami has uncanny ability to adapt conditions wherever he bowls.

"I think he’s quality everywhere he bowls. It was really hard to get his Yorkers away towards the end of the innings. We know he’s a quality bowler just like the rest of the Indian bowlers.”