NEW DELHI, India (IANS/CMC) — Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan yesterday acknowledged India’s bowling in the death overs as a tender spot, but said the hosts were not ready to panic after their loss to the West Indies in the opening One-Day International of the five-match series on Wednesday.

India slumped to a surprising 124-run loss to the Caribbean side in Kochi and will look to even the series in the second match here today.

“We are looking to improve our bowling towards the end of the innings. We have improved our death-bowling since the England tour. Mohammed Shami took three wickets towards the end in Kochi. Things will get better,” said Dhawan on the eve of the second ODI scheduled for the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium.

“But we are not overtly concerned by it since it was the first game of the series. The spinners did give away runs, but it is part and parcel of the game. Sometimes they get hit, but it’s not that it happens in every match.”

India’s bowlers leaked runs as West Indies piled up 321 for six off their 50 overs, after being sent in at the Kochi Stadium. Apart from medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, all other bowlers went for more than six runs an over.

When India batted, their batsmen struggled and Dhawan was the lone bright spot as he top-scored with 68. He expressed satisfaction with his present form.

“The last year has been a learning experience for me as I have seen both success and failure,” the 28-year-old pointed out.

“But if you don’t know what failure is, you won’t be able to enjoy success. I am learning every day. Those six innings that I failed in the India-England Test series will probably help me to play 50 good innings.”

The Delhi lad added that his poor form in England has made him a more mature batsman and praised Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the role his skipper has played in his batting form reversal.

“I have learnt more about my batting, identified my strengths and weaknesses. I am constantly learning new things and adding to my game,” Dhawan said.

“It’s very important for a player to have his captain backing him during a lean patch. I have received a lot of support from the captain.

“Dhoni has been the skipper for so long and he knows what a player needs. Even the support staff backed me to play my natural game.”

Dhawan also spoke of his enthusiasm at playing an international for the first time on his home ground.

“It has always been a nice batting pitch. I have played in Delhi for many years, so I know what to expect at the ground,” said Dhawan, who plays in the Ranji Trophy domestic competition for Delhi.