MS Dhoni admits to "using" Kohli more

“I have already started using him (Kohli) more. If you witness a match you will see I have more interactions with him on the field because two individuals of course will conduct in different ways,” Dhoni said in a press conference ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand in Dharamsala.

Dhoni, who led India in two successful World Cup campaigns, said it was the responsibility of all the senior players to mentor India's next crop of players.

"Role doesn’t change when you are a senior member of the squad irrespective of whether you are captain or vice-captain. You have extra responsibility on you. You have to talk to the youngsters, you have to guide them,” Dhoni said.

Dhoni, 35, who has been renowned for his "finishing abilities", has entered the twilight years of his career. While saying that the Board has already found a replacement finisher, he refused to name anyone to protect the individual from "undue pressure."

“You have to look at consistent performers. Finishing is one of the most difficult things to do in cricket. A player can’t be a finisher in just 6 months or one year. You have to be used to that responsibility, keeping on doing what is required from you over a period of time,” Dhoni said.

“As far as identifying individuals who can be a finisher is concerned, yes we have identified a few but I would like to keep the names to ourselves, the reason being not to put an undue pressure on any individual,” the skipper said.

Even though the wicketkeeper-batsman refused to reveal names, he did say that he would come up the order in the series which could mean that the fans could get a fair idea of who the mystery finisher is.

“I may bat slightly up the order now. This team will give me an opportunity to bat at the number that I am looking for. But still it will be quite low, not like a no. 4 position,” he added.

The Ranchi-born star also agreed with the selectors' decision to rest established players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadeja for the ODI series in order to keep them fresh for England's tour of the sub-continent. He did, however, say that since the team was playing eight ODI's this season, it gives the fringe players a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.

“At times you need to look at future schedules. We are playing 13 Test matches this season, after that IPL followed by Champions Trophy. As such there is no big break in the middle. So I think it’s a good decision. At times you have look at the long-term things,” he explained.

“We also get an opportunity to test other players and see the bench strength. We are just playing eight ODIs this season. So whatever plans we have we can check them in these matches,” Dhoni added.