Maybe 350 is the new 280: Dhoni

As India blazed down another 350 plus score against Australia in the ongoing series, MS Dhoni wondered if 350 is the new par score in one-day cricket. Set 351 to win, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli slammed centuries as India romped home in the last over, with six wickets to spare and draw level with the Aussies on 2-2 to make the final game in Bangalore all important. India had also chased down 359 in Jaipur and no one would have expected the world champions, even with their powerful stroke players, to do that again in the same month. There were similarities in both chases. The openers put on a big stand and one of them got to a century while Kohli hammered a quick ton to seal it for India. Even the Indian captain was left dazed. "We need to think if 350 is the new 280 or 300 in ODI cricket. Bowlers are trying their best but they still can't contain the batsmen. "Now we can break the game easily after 30 overs. We can chase anywhere around 170 to 180 in the last 20. Shikhar and Rohit batted really well," Dhoni said. The Indian skipper lauded his batsmen for another superlative show but remained critical of the new rules that seem to have taken the game completely away from the bowlers at least in subcontinental conditions. Batsmen have had ample time and opportunity to play their shots on flat pitches and empty outfields, with only four allowed outside the circle. "It was more of a fight as to which side bowls less badly. With the extra fielder inside, if you are slightly off target, it goes for a boundary. A few of the bowlers are disappointed, they actually feel it will be better off to put a bowling machine there. It is a new challenge for the bowlers," said Dhoni after India chased down Australia's 350 with six wickets and three balls to spare. Dhoni said bowlers will eventually sort out how to adapt to the new ODI rule enforcing an extra fielder inside the 30-yard circle as compared to earlier times. "We have not played enough with these set of new rules (in operation). That's why when you are captaining and a side has scored 300 or 325, you are not really used to it. All of a sudden, you see, 15 overs left, 220-230 and the Power Play is left, you are not really able to digest the feat because it's not really natural," said Dhoni. "Three and a half hours of batting, the opposition is just hitting sixes and fours. It will take some time before the bowlers will also adjust to it. And at the same time, we will see some particular day if the wicket is doing a bit, sides may get out of 150-180 because of the two new balls. "We will have to wait and watch but as of now, on good flat wickets, with a bit of dew around, it becomes a bit unfair on bowlers. The best of bowlers, fastest of bowlers, even they are at times bowling with third man and fine leg up. It is difficult for the bowlers as of now," Dhoni said.