India captain MS Dhoni admits his bowlers will need to improve in Friday’s third one-day international, after they were beaten by England in a rain-reduced match at the Rose Bowl (England 4/7, India 11/8 – Match Prices 3rd ODI).

The teams were still all square going into the Hampshire clash after the no-result at Chester-le-Street, and it looked as though the weather would get the better of them again.

But, after the rain relented and the ground staff got the playing surface ready, England won a 23-over match by seven wickets and with five balls remaining.

The crowd that stayed saw a thrilling contest with the Indians showing that they still know how to hit a cricket ball despite their woes this summer. But the England top-order, led by captain Alastair Cook (80 not out) chased down their target of 188 in great style and with relative ease (Cook 100/30 – Top Eng Batsman 3rd ODI).

It is this aspect of the contests that is bothering the India skipper, who is happy with the way his batsmen are now performing but concerned about the way that his attack does not seem able to contain the rampant England batsmen.

“We have been able to put runs on the board in the ODI series, which is a positive for us, but a bit of improvement is needed in the bowling department,” he said. “Everybody tries their best but almost all the bowlers went for runs.”

The two sides will do it all again at the Oval on Friday, with victory for England ensuring them of at least a share of the series.