Gros Islet (St Lucia) (PTI): Yuvraj Singh is the backbone of India's batting line-up, said skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lauding his deputy's contribution in the 2-1 series triumph over the West Indies.

"He is the backbone of our batting line up. Coming in at number four he always takes up the responsibility and sets up the platform for the batsmen down the order to contribute," Mr. Dhoni said after the fourth and final match was abandoned due to rain.

"When he sets himself up, rest assured he is in for a big score," Mr. Dhoni, who was adjudged the Man of the Series, said.

Mr. Dhoni said a series triumph on foreign soil is always special and showered praise on his bowlers for adapting to the conditions.

"It's a pleasure to win a series out of the country. The bowlers have taken the initiative, we have a very good bowling attack. The youngsters who came in and got a chance have proved themselves. I think we really have a very good side," Mr. Dhoni said.

Mr. Dhoni said he was most pleased to see Ishant Sharma return to form after a lean spell.

Handed the responsibility of opening the attack in the washed out fourth and final ODI against West Indies here, Ishant was bang on target from the word go and sent packing hosts' captain Chris Gayle for duck with the second ball of the innings.

Ishant gave away just 17 runs in his four overs which earned him the praise from his captain.

"He (Ishant) was concentrating more on what he needs to do rather than looking at the batsman. Today he was bowling in the right areas and there was a bit help in the pitch for the fast bowlers.

"In the earlier matches he was bowling one change but today he looked a totally different bowler with the new ball," he said.

West Indies captain Gayle said he was disappointed at not getting a chance to level the series.

"We are very disappointed to have lost the series but you can't really do anything in such weather conditions," he said.

"We are looking forward to Bangladesh right now. We need to go back to the drawing board ahead of that series.