The process of preparations for the challenges ahead is important: Dhoni
APIndian cricket captain Mahender Singh Dhoni addresses a press conference in Hyderabad, on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011. India and England are scheduled to play five one-day international matches and one Twenty20 cricket match starting Oct. 14.
The one-day series against England should be looked at as an ideal opportunity for the younger players to display their talent in international cricket, said Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Speaking to the media on the eve of the first one-dayer against England here on Friday, Dhoni hoped that the good starts that the young players got in England in different conditions and at new venues should be very useful to them when they play in familiar home conditions. “For some of them, the IPL experience too should be very useful,” he added.
“I don’t think it is difficult to manage the young players. It is apparently difficult to replace the senior players. But, I must say the youngsters are very talented and they should only be looking at gaining experience now,” Dhoni said to a query.
On the possibility of Gautam Gambhir opening the innings, Dhoni avoided a direct reply but merely said that both Parthiv (Patel) and Ajinkya Rahane have done a very good job. “And, Gambhir batted at No.3 in the past and opened when either Sachin or Sehwag was injured. But again, the final eleven will be decided only tomorrow,” he pointed out.
The Indian captain felt that the Hyderabad pitch looked different from the normal Hyderabad wicket. “It may not seam exactly but we will have to wait till tomorrow to get a closer look at how it finally shapes up,” he said.
Dhoni said that R. Ashwin would not be under any kind of pressure though he is the team’s lead spinner. “Being my team-mate for four years now (both play for Chennai Super Kings) I know that he loves challenges and should be a very good bowler especially in the power-plays,” Dhoni explained.
“The key to his success will be about how well he will keep improving. Definitely, this will be an opportunity for the younger players,” he said.
Dhoni dismissed the fact that this series is being played so closely to the disappointing tour of England. “Well, only when you ask this question I have to remember that we played them. We should not remember about the past. The process of preparations for the challenges ahead is important,” he pointed out.
Dhoni also mentioned that that the team management has told the young players about their areas of improvement. “We have a very good support staff who can do that with a lot of self-belief. And, we back each other,” he added. The Indian captain also felt that one or two series is not enough to judge young players. “Consistency and the kind of improvement shown by them are important,” he asserted
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