MSD hints at playing seven batsmen

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MS Dhoni indicated that he would play seven batsmen in their much-anticipated Group A match against Pakistan on Saturday. More... Friday 25th September 2009 MSD hints at playing seven batsmen MS Dhoni indicated that he would play seven batsmen in their much-anticipated Group A match against Pakistan on Saturday. The Indian captain said the composition of the side does not allow him to field five bowlers. "The balance of our side doesn't encourage it (five bowlers). It's tough to play with just six batters for if you lose early wickets, it's difficult to make a comeback," said Dhoni on the eve of the match. Incidentally, the Centurion pitch is a flat wicket unlike the lively South African pitches and during the first two games it has offered susbstantial turn to the slower bowlers. It had prompted Dhoni to think about playing leg-spinner Amit Mishra tomorrow along with Harbhajan Singh, but he said with inujries ruling two of his senior batsmen out of the tournament, he cannot afford to weaken his batting line up. "I personally would like to play Amit Mishra but the balance of our side doesn't encourage it. We need a bowling allrounder. The only time we could play five bowlers was in Australia (in 2007)," he said. Another factor, which is worrying the India skipper ahead of tomorrow's high-profile encounter, is the lack of choices in his bowling department. "In the last few weeks we have lost three of our five part-time bowling options. Virender Sehwag is missing and so is Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh," Dhoni said. Dhoni also said the team would miss Yuvraj in the middle-order and it would be hard for anyone to fill his vaccum. "Yuvraj more often than not capitalises on second powerplay. He bats aggressively and is a free-strok player. "In his absence, the role of other batsmen can change. At the moment it's difficult to say who would fill his shoes. It also depends on the kind of start you've got. Ideally you like to hold on to wickets for a late assault on bowling," he said. "We do keep assessing scores at periodic intervals of say first 20 overs and then 34 overs. We do have quite a few batsmen who can take advantage of powerplays," he added. Dhoni also lauded his Pakistani counterpart Younus Khan's decision to play tomorrow with a fractured hand. "To have such a determination is laudable but you also have to see if your injury is not a hindrance to team's fortunes. Afterall you don't want to go in a match with just 10 players," he said. Happy with the fact that India would be playing their opening two games in friendly Centurion conditions, Dhoni said India-Pakistan rivalry is just like any other rivalry between two sides. "India, in a way, is lucky that it is playing it's first two games at a venue which is more suited to it's kind of play. I won't say we are lucky, it's a destiny. This wicket, compared to Wanderers, looks better suited for one-day cricket,"Dhoni said. "There is a big rivalry (between India and Pakistan) but then it's against any side you turn up on a cricket field. You want to win against all teams on a cricket field. "Of course there could be more intensity and aggression. But at the end of the day you are playing the same cricket you play everyday," the wicketkeeper batsman added.

[varun]

Definitely need Mishra for Centurion. 3 Pacers is a bit too much for that dead pitch.

[cowboysfan]

as expected.I dont see the point of nayar and yusuf in the team.Kohli should be in the team and should bat before raina.

[The Outsider]

I don't think we will leave out Mishra for Centurion.

[coffee_rules]

Nooooo RPS..please....

[vvvslaxman]

Centurion is a buriyal ground for fast bowlers.

[Aadhavzone]

as expected.I dont see the point of nayar and yusuf in the team.Kohli should be in the team and should bat before raina.

:WTF: why he shud bat before Raina, already Dravid eats, You want Kholi also to eat overs! :mad:

[cowboysfan]

:WTF: why he shud bat before Raina' date=' already Dravid eats, You want Kholi also to eat overs! :mad:[/quote'] kohli is a positive batsman.Raina can come in at the end and blast some boundaries.I feel he is better for that role as we are missing yuvi for CT.

[Show_stopper]

as expected.I dont see the point of nayar and yusuf in the team.Kohli should be in the team and should bat before raina.

Don't think Raina should bat after Kohli..Raina is the better batsman afterall. And moreover from what I have seen of Virat Kohli..he seems to be more suited to come in either early ( opening or #3) or later down the order during the death overs.

[Aadhavzone]

kohli is a positive batsman.Raina can come in at the end and blast some boundaries.I feel he is better for that role as we are missing yuvi for CT.

So dravid should come 3 down, if Kholi comes in @ No.3! I would Suggest Dhoni is perfect No. 3 Than anyone else in the team! Gambhir Tendul Dhoni Dravid Raina Kholi would be ideal! i really wonder where to fit Dravid after Keeping Mr. Cool @ 3

[cowboysfan]

Don't think Raina should bat after Kohli..Raina is the better batsman afterall. And moreover from what I have seen of Virat Kohli..he seems to be more suited to come in either early ( opening or #3) or later down the order during the death overs.

the wall is slated @3,so thats out.just think raina is a better finisher especially with yuvi missing.

[Aadhavzone]

Dhoni is the best cricketer in the world @ 3 Position!

[Show_stopper]

CBF..I don't think Raina is Yuvi type player. Caertainly has more tendency to slog when attempting to clear the ropes.Not quite as clean a six hitter as Yuvi. However his driving technique is superior to that of Yuvraj..and so is his gameplay against the spinners. And obviously when there are no field restrictions I would bet on Kohli to clear the ropes more often than Raina. And I would expect Raina to utilze the powerplay (if he gets the chance) and the middle overs a LOT better than Kohli. Obviously it will depend on when Dhoni decides to take the batting powerplay.

[Show_stopper]

the wall is slated @3' date='so thats out.just think raina is a better finisher especially with yuvi missing.[/quote'] I'm not quite sure about that..I think we might see Dravid open with Sach tomorrow(them having done well recently)..and Gambhir @ 3. Or incase Dhoni feels the need to up the run rate early on he might as well push Drvid down to 5 and promote himself and Raina to #3 and #4 respectively. Afterall #5 was Dravid's preferred position back when he was the skipper of the side. The latter scenario is unlikely though.

[spectre]

Dont worry guys, Raina boy will wield the magic with the ball as well He is a very clever spinner and will play an important part tomorrow

[Riley's Girl]

We should have Kohli in the side. Mishra as well for Centurion.

[Show_stopper]

As much I would like to see Mishra playing tomorrow..I don't see India taking the field without 3 pacers..we haven't for quite sometime. Not saying its right...but just what will most prolly happen.

[jusarrived]

CBF..I don't think Raina is Yuvi type player. Caertainly has more tendency to slog when attempting to clear the ropes.Not quite as clean a six hitter as Yuvi. However his driving technique is superior to that of Yuvraj..and so is his gameplay against the spinners. And obviously when there are no field restrictions I would bet on Kohli to clear the ropes more often than Raina. And I would expect Raina to utilze the powerplay (if he gets the chance) and the middle overs a LOT better than Kohli. Obviously it will depend on when Dhoni decides to take the batting powerplay.

completely , agree Kohli plays very similar to yuvi in early days & raina is some one whos going to be more effective in the power plays . thats the squad i wanted , so am happy ..not a huge fan of pathan , but not very impressed with Nayar as well

[Riley's Girl]

As much I would like to see Mishra playing tomorrow..I don't see India taking the field without 3 pacers..we haven't for quite sometime. Not saying its right...but just what will most prolly happen.

U'r right of course. Would still be nice to see him in the side.

[punjabi_khota]

People, especially my south indian brethren..it is KOHLI and not KHOLI,