India may have unearthed a long-term keeper-batsman in Dhoni

Mahendra Dhoni's maiden ton might not have taken place were it not for Sourav Ganguly's form slump, the India skipper revealed after the win over Pakistan.

Dhoni capitalised on his promotion to number three in the batting order with a dazzling 148 off 123 balls.

"I would have batted at three but I'm not playing well and would have taken time to settle down," Ganguly said.

"We thought the first 15 overs would be crucial so we sent Dhoni up the order because he can hit the ball."

Ganguly ended up making just nine off 22 balls, but it did not stop India scoring a mammoth 356-9 - a record for the country against Pakistan.

"Chasing 357 is not easy on any surface at any ground in any situation," Ganguly added.

We will bounce back Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq

Pakistan made a decnt fist of their chase, with Abdul Razzaq and Yousuf Youhana striking fifties, but they succumbed for 298 in the 45th over.

Skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq admitted the scale of Pakistan's task was always going to be difficult.

"This Indian team is batting very well and 356 is not easy to chase," said Inzamam.

"The toss is important because in the second innings this ball is not easy to hit.

"With wickets in hand we had a chance to win the game, but we lost two or three wickets in the 30-40-overs mark.

"But we will bounce back."