India Tour Of England :Dhoni Comments

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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Cook Say's on ODI Series

We are a strong side and there are no issues: Alastair Cook

 

England captain Alastair Cook along with Kevin Pietersen at the training session at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on October 13, 2011,ahead of the five-match series against India starting from October 14.Photo: K.R. Deepak

England captain Alastair Cook says his team is aware of the huge challenge ahead when it takes on India in the five-match one-day series and believes that if it plays the best cricket consistently it can face anything.

Speaking to media after the team’s training session ahead of the first one-dayer against England here on Thursday, Cook reminds that they have had fantastic preparations in the last 10 days including two warm-up games in the City.

“What has gone in England this summer (referring to the way his team got the better of India in Tests and one-dayers) is gone. It is a new series and in totally different conditions. Hopefully, we can start well,” Cook said to a query.

“Essentially, the boys worked really hard in the last few days. It is amazing how so many youngsters are coming up. And, India is a great place for anyone to prove his class,” the England captain said.

Cook says to master the reverse swing you need to have the skills. “I hope that there will be some reverse swing to put the opposition under pressure,” he said. ““I do believe that there will be more of spin bowling in the one-day series,” he said to a query.

The England opener also made it clear that the best side would be picked for the one-dayer depending on the conditions. “We are a strong side and there are no issues,” he insisted to a query.

Referring to the Indian team, Cook said they were aware how strong the Indian team could be. “A very talented side indeed,” he added.

Trott Say's on ODI Series

Time for England to do well abroad as well: Trott

 

England middle-order batsman Jonathan Trott is hopeful his team can continue their fine home ODI when they face India in the upcoming ODI series starting October 14 in Hyderabad. .

“We have won quite a few one-day tournaments at home. We have to start winning abroad now and probably we can begin that on this Indian tour,” says Jonathan Trott, ahead of the India-England one-dayer here.

The 30-year-old Trott feels it is a huge challenge for anyone to play in front of massive Indian crowds, and that the home team is going to be very dangerous at home.

“On the back of us doing pretty well at home when we played against India, it’s going to be important that we maintain that. Because, we want to be a team that can win one-day tournaments all over the world,” emphasises Trott.

“I obviously looked at their squad (India) and saw a few new players. It’s going to be interesting how they adapt to playing for India and the pressure of playing at home in front of packed houses. It’s going to be exciting,” Trott said.

Referring to Bairstow’s talent, Trott recalled that the young batsman made a huge impact in his very first ODI against India last month. And, referring to the youngster’s century in the practice game against Hyderabad on Tuesday when Trott was at the non-striker’s end, the star England batsman pointed that the young talented batsman has big-match temperament and can play his natural game.

“Well, this exciting young talent in England means a very bright future for cricket back home. It is a good advertisement for the team also,” says Trott, who played 23 Tests for 1965 runs and 35 ODIs for 1596 runs, including three centuries.

“I think that the success stories of someone like Bairstow means only healthy competition and not any pressure straightaway on the seniors,” Trott explained.

Questioned whether the likes of Bairstow will win matches for England, Trott was straightforward in reminding: “I don’t say Bairstow will do this (hitting century in the warm-up game yesterday) all the time. You have to play lot of cricket. What impressed me about this England team is the way each one complements in batting and bowling,” he said.

Trott is considered to be more organised in his batting approach at the crease, even as many of his teammates love to go for the big hits. Referring to this, this articulate cricketer said he would just try to keep going. “I am not sure whether I have to change my game or not. A lot of things depend on what the situation is out there in the middle,” he pointed out.

“I do work a lot in the nets. I don’t want to bask in past glory. I try to look forward and see how far I can go,” says Trott to a query.

Harbhajan Singh Out of First Two ODI's

Harbhajan 'surprised' to be dropped from Indian team

Off—spinner Harbbhajan Singh says he was more surprised than hurt when he was axed from the Indian ODI team for the first two ODIs against England.

“I wouldn’t say I was hurt. I was more surprised. I wish the younger guys all the best. I am more than happy to share my experience with them like I was helped by Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Sourav Ganguly while I was coming up,” Harbbhajan told PTI in an interview on Wednesday.

Dropped following a lacklustre tour of England, Harbhajan said that despite not being a part of Indian side, he would like to see his teammates take revenge over England in the five—match series, starting on Friday in Hyderabad.

England recently blanked India 0—4 in the Test series before inflicting a humiliating 0—3 defeat in the five—match one—day series in their backyard.

Harbhajan, on his part, had a dismal show, as he took only two wickets in 69.4 overs at an average of 143.50 and economy rate of 4.11 before he suffered a stomach injury during the second game and was ruled out for the rest of the tour.

“Harbhajan Singh is immaterial. What is important is India must beat England in the five—match ODI series and take their revenge, which I am sure they would over the next two weeks,” he said.

“Ultimately, we are all playing for the country. We all are looking to exact revenge against a team who were so good against us recently,” he added.

The feisty spinner also said that India’s defeat in England hurt him more than his own omission and it continues to be a recurring nightmare for him.

“It took a lot of hard work for us to reach to the top.

And we wouldn’t rest till we wrest it back. We won’t rest..,” he said.

Critics in recent times have found fault with Harbhajan’s bowling, saying it was not penetrative enough, but the bowler begged to differ.

“First of all you must decide what you expect from a bowler in limited overs format. Do you expect him to take a five—for every time he bowls his 10 overs, or do you want him to put the squeeze on and force the opposition to play into your hands?,” asked Harbhajan.

“In a low—scoring match, you would expect him to take wickets. On a belter of a track, you want him to dry up the runs,” he added.

In the 17 ODIs this year, the 31—year—old spinner barely conceded over four runs an over during the tours of South Africa and West Indies and in the World Cup.

“In the Caribbean, I took one for 24 from 10 overs, besides scoring 41 with the bat in Antigua to clinch the one—day series. I must have done something right to have survived for 13 years. Who can be more concerned about my performance than myself?” he said.

“I would do what my team wants me to do. I can’t keep adjusting every time somebody fancies to write about me. All I can say is that I am now completely fit and full of vigour. I am ready to put my best foot forward.”

India turned out to be an inferior side against a rampant England in an away summer but a series of injuries also played a part, including one to Harbhajan in the second Test at Trent Bridge, which skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni often mentions as the moment when his team completely lost its bearing.

Injuries were also an issue with the IPL side - Mumbai Indians - but unlike the Indian team, it rode over its misfortune and won its maiden Champions League Twenty20 title last Sunday.

Under stand—in—skipper Harbhajan Singh, the Mumbai Indians often came back from hopeless situations, including the one in the finals to emerge victorious.

“It’s fair to say we were underdogs. We lost key players and the balance of the side was skewed. But none of us ever lost belief that we could do it,” said Harbhajan, who led the team in place of regular captain Sachin Tendulkar.

Harbhajan, as skipper, received praise from all quarters.

His former captain Sourav Ganguly found his approach refreshing.

“It’s never easy to captain a T20 side. Every delivery can make you doubt your decision. I decided early to attack at all time. Often, opposition senses the heat and goes to pieces,” said the off—spinner.

Indian Team Selection For India Tour Of England

Harbhajan axed; Sharma, Aravind in ODI squad

 

Off-colour Harbhajan Singh was on Thursday dropped while young spinner Rahul Sharma and paceman Sreenath Aravind were the two new faces in India’s depleted 15-member squad for next month’s first two ODIs against England.

Gautam Gambhir, who missed the ODI series in the tour of England because of concussion, returned to the squad, which will be without the services of a host of seniors, including Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh because of injuries.

Pacers Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron also figured in the team announced by BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale. The team, to be captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has a predominantly young bowling attack with Praveen Kumar being the spearhead.

The national selectors have picked as many as five fast bowlers and three spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin and Sharma. Parthiv Patel, who did reasonably well in the recent ODI series against England, has been retained along with upcoming batsman Ajinkya Rahane of Mumbai.

The first ODI of the five-match series will be played in Hyderabad on October 14, while Delhi will host the second game on October 17. Mohali (Oct 20), Mumbai (Oct 23) and Kolkata (Oct 25) will stage the other three matches. Kolkata will also conduct the lone Twenty20 match against England on October 29.

The team: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Parthiv Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav, R. Vinay Kumar, Sreenath Aravind, Rahul Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Praveen Kumar.