Ahead of the five-match ODI series against New Zealand, India had a total of eight ODIs to cover all their bases ahead of the Champions Trophy next year. MS Dhoni, who usually cringes at any suggestions of experimentation, admitted the series was an opportunity to try out different players and fill a few slots. By the time India clinched the series 3-2 in Visakhapatnam, Dhoni would have been happy with the progress made on a few fronts.Mishra returns, againBefore the start of the series, Amit Mishra had played 31 ODIs in 13 years. Apart from the palindromic symmetry of these numbers, two things stand out: a) He has been around for ages without ever being a permanent fixture in the limited-overs side; b) Despite that, his talent and persistence have always kept him in the reckoning.In the absence of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who were rested, Mishra was the lead spinner by default. By the end of the fifth ODI, Mishra had earned the right to be the leader of the entire bowling unit, picking 15 wickets to claim his first man-of-the-series award. His wickets arrived through a seductive blend of flight, dip, aided by plenty of revs on the ball, and turn. Just look up the dismissals of Ross Taylor and Luke Ronchi in Mohali, and James Neesham in Visakhapatnam.Mishra, who is a month shy of turning 34, knows he has to perform every time an opportunity comes his way. He acknowledges that the key to this lies, apart from his fizzing leg-breaks, in improving his fielding and batting.Dhoni moves to No 4One of the things MS Dhoni has endlessly fretted over in the last few years has been identifying a finisher. With the search remaining futile, Dhoni had no choice but to bat at No 5 or 6, from where bashing the bowling from the outset proved difficult. Dhoni eventually bit the bullet, and in giving himself a promotion, challenged the inexperienced middle-order batsmen to learn the finishers job on the fly.The results were instant. His 80 in Mohali was fashioned from a younger Dhonis template of accumulate and accelerate. Dhonis shift in batting position is less of a concession to a senior pro than an arrangement that optimises his value as a batsman. He would want his younger colleagues in the middle order to ensure they hold up their side of the bargainThe Jadhav surpriseAhead of this series, Kedar Jadhav was known as a batsman who could keep wicket occasionally. It is believed Dhoni wanted someone who could play Suresh Rainas role as a middle-order bat who could send down a few overs, and Jadhav appeared the closest alternative. He was then given an extended bowling session in the nets on the eve of the first ODI, which was followed by Dhoni identifying him, along with Rohit Sharma, as one of his part-timers.As it turned out, Jadhav, with his subtle pace variations and low-arm release, became a compulsive partnership-breaker, and finished with six wickets in the series at an economy rate of 4.05. To Dhonis credit, he never over-bowled him, and ensured he retained the surprise element. Jadhavs biggest challenge, however, was to prove himself with the bat. While he scored an enterprising 40 in a losing cause in Delhi, it was the calm and selfless manner in which he batted at the death in Visakhapatnam that must have pleased Dhoni the most.The new-ball punt with PandyaWhen Hardik Pandya was picked for the New Zealand ODIs, there were several groans of disapproval. Admittedly, there was a case for scepticism: Pandya had had a poor IPL followed by a mediocre tour to Australia with the India A team. The numbers werent in his favour, but the selectors were excited by his pace with the ball, and the spunk he showed in his counter-attacking 79 in Brisbane.Dhoni put Pandyas deceptive pace to good use when he gave him the new ball on ODI debut in Dharamsala. Pandyas 3 for 31 won him the man of the match award, but the bigger takeaway was that he could swing the ball at upwards of 135 kph. Pandya also nearly won the game for India in Delhi with a thrilling late-innings assault.In the last few years, India have tried out a few players such as Rishi Dhawan, Stuart Binny and Pandya himself, for the seam-bowling allrounders slot. Should Pandya sustain his form and not bowl waywardly - as in Ranchi where he conceded eight wides - he will be one of Dhonis go-to men in England next year for the Champions Trophy. Umesh , Axar and other unsung heroesUmesh Yadavs contribution to Indias series win went beyond his eight wickets. His initial thrust with the new ball usually brought the big wickets, which then helped the spinners bore into the middle order. Umesh, in fact, got Martin Guptill out three times in the series, twice in the first over of the innings. Umesh regularly delivered from close to the stumps, and, apart from in Mohali where he went for runs, this appeared to give him greater control.Axar Patel may not yet be in Jadejas class, but he did everything thats part of the Saurashtra allrounders job description. While he was Dhonis designated run-choker at different stages in the innings, he rose to the occasion with the bat by scoring a gutsy 38 when promoted to No.5 in Ranchi. In the final ODI, he hit an 18-ball 24 to rev up the scoring rate in the slog.That Jayant Yadav and Mandeep Singh were among the most tireless workers at net sessions pointed to a happy and motivated bench. Jayant would often bowl for more than an hour, and spend most of his time talking shop with coach Anil Kumble. Jayant was the only player in Indias squad to not play a single game on the Zimbabwe tour, and it looked like hed have to wait even longer to get his maiden international cap. But, when he was given an opportunity in Visakhapatnam, he did his prospects no harm.Mandeep still remains uncapped, but showed tremendous athleticism when he substituted for Rohit in Visakhapatnam. A string of diving stops inside the circle denied New Zealands batsmen boundaries and added to the pressure they were under. Wholesale Jerseys Store .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Cheap Authentic Jerseys .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. http://www.cheapjerseysaustralia.com/ . 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CLEVELAND -- Times up for the Browns, who look as if they could use another preseason game -- or two -- this summer.With the season opener against Philadelphia 10 days away, Cleveland played its offensive starters the entire first quarter, but only managed a short touchdown drive against Chicagos backups in a 21-7 loss to the Bears on Thursday night.Quarterback Robert Griffin III led Cleveland to its TD following a fumbled punt as the Browns starting offense ended the preseason on a positive note before getting ready to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept 11.The preseason is over, said first-year coach Hue Jackson, who decided to play his starters after a dismal game in Tampa last week. The season is here. Obviously, we would like to finish a little better.KaDeem Carey scored on a 1-yard run in the first half, rookie Jordan Howard had a 16-yard TD run and Robbie Gould kicked three field goals as the Bears (1-3) avoided a winless preseason.Not the Browns, who ended a tumultuous few days with a performance that did little to excite their fans or provide much hope this season wont be like so many previous ones.In the closing minutes, Jackson pulled Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas and star cornerback Joe Haden close on the sideline and told them what he expected going forward.Because its time, Jackson said, explaining the meeting. The grind starts now, what its truly all about starts next Sunday in Philadelphia. I want them to understand its going to take work. Its going to take their leadership, their ability to rally their teammates to do what we need to do. Were going to Philadelphia and we expect to win the game.Isaiah Crowell had a 4-yard TD for the Browns (0-4), who left Griffin and the other offensive starters on the field for three series. RG3, attempting to revive his career in Cleveland after an ugly departure from Washington, went 4 of 8 for 31 yards.Griffins night would have been over after the second possession, but the Bears fumbled a punt, giving Cleveland the ball at the Chicago 18. He threw two incompletions in the end zone before Crowell squirted in on tthird down to give the Browns a 7-3 lead.ddddddddddddow were able to focus on what we do best, Griffin said. Its real. Its about wins and losses now.Unlike Jackson, Bears coach John Fox rested his starters, allowing him to get a longer look at some of the players fighting for roster spots.Brian Hoyer seems to have nailed down Chicagos No. 2 QB job behind Jay Cutler. The former Browns starter finished his preseason by going 12 of 16 for 112 yards. He only had one starter with him on offense -- wide receiver Kevin White, who had four catches for 57 yards.It was a major step for White, who missed his rookie season with a broken leg.We felt like we needed another good outing and felt like he delivered, Fox said This game is about confidence and experiences. He hasnt had a lot of them. Hes shown flashes, but he needed some more playing time and I thought he did well.GORDONS FINALEBrowns WR Josh Gordon had three catches for 29 yards in his final game before beginning a four-game drug suspension.ROOKIE WATCHBears: OLB Leonard Floyd, the No. 9 overall pick, was one of three rookies to start. Floyd appeared to get poked in the eye during the second quarter.Browns: WR Corey Coleman made his first catch of the preseason, but the No. 15 pick also dropped a pass on a crossing route that had the potential to be a big play.POSITION BATTLESBears: WR Cameron Meredith caught six passes for 46 yards and may have secured a backup spot behind White and Alshon Jeffery.Browns: WR Taylor Gabriel helped his chances of making the roster with a 37-yard punt return in the third quarter. He and Andrew Hawkins could be in trouble after the Browns drafted four wide receivers.INJURY UPDATEBears: DE Cornelius Washington and LB Danny Mason sustained knee injuries in the first half and didnt return.Browns: RB Rajion Neal was carted off in the fourth quarter after appearing to suffer a serious leg injury.---AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL China NFL Jerseys Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Online Stitched Hockey Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys Football Jerseys Outlet College Jerseys For Sale Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys For Sale Wholesale NFL Jerseys ' ' '