Switchblade Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/cricket-news/69359/dhoni-exudes-guarded-optimism-on-world-cup-chances Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his first media appearance since quitting the Test captaincy a fortnight ago. The occasion was the unveiling of India's new ODI jersey for the World Cup, which the team will also be wearing during the tri-series. Looking refreshed after a break of over a week and the eventful Test series behind him, the limited-overs skipper was back to his calm, controlled self, answering queries with guarded optimism. Obviously the question uppermost on everybody's mind was about the mood in the Indian camp after the jersey changed from white to blue, with Dhoni back at the helm. In reply, Dhoni launched into a monologue: "There are very few people who get the opportunity to represent the country in any game. We feel so blessed. It is such an honour and a matter of pride," he said. He then paused for breath and added, "But yes, in the ODIs India has been identified as 'Men in Blue' and it does inspire us to do better once we are in it. That does not mean we do not give our best in Test matches. It is just the ODI format... we are a better team at the moment and hope to do better than what we have been doing for the last couple of years." Once that formality was out of the way, obviously, the next question was about India's chances at the World Cup. Dhoni was asked if the Indian team's high point would come at the MCG, which will host the World Cup final on March 29. He promptly replied: "The triumph at Wankhede four years ago was in familiar, home conditions. Here the conditions are very different. There are many factors that will determine who wins the World Cup. I think most of the top teams are playing good cricket right now. So it will all depend on who plays better on a given day." It was obvious Dhoni was not promising the moon to the Indian fans. He clearly wants to keep the pressure of being the defending champions and one of the World Cup favourites off the team's shoulders, especially in the light of the recent Test series loss and the tough conditions they will encounter during the World Cup both here and in New Zealand. Dhoni believes that the tri-series would give the think-tank the opportunity to gauge the form and fitness of the players in the mix and said, "We hope to get our combination right before the World Cup. Many players were sitting idle till now and the tri-series will give them and the others the chance to get into the ODI groove." At the unveiling of India's new jersey, standing on the podium to Dhoni's right was Test captain and ODI deputy, Virat Kohli. Typically, he looked a bit too serious for the occasion, seeming all ready to take the battle to the rival camp. He forthrightly said, "It would be great to win the World Cup back-to-back. We have a plan in place and we have a vision. We will be working hard over the next two months to fulfill that goal. It would be such a great milestone for the men in blue to be on top of the world again." Kohli said that he was confident of taking his Test form into the tri-series and into the World Cup. "I have really enjoyed the conditions here and hopefully we will get similar wickets in New Zealand too. I hope to continue my good run and help the team achieve its goal." Standing next to him was Ajinkya Rahane, another batsman who did exceedingly well in the Test series. Rahane said he was hopeful of providing solidity to the batting line-up in the ODIs too. "I have no issues with the format. I think I can contribute to the team's cause as I like playing in these conditions. It is good that we have got used to the pitches here and can carry our form into the ODIs." Besides Dhoni, Kohli and Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav and Shikhar Dhawan were also present on the podium.
BeautifulGame Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Nineteen days ago*MS Dhoni*sat in a chair in the Jim Stynes room in the Olympic Stand of the MCG, and spoke to the press about Hanuman's tail and that of a Doberman, about normal answers to questions and the spiced-up Australian answers, and about debutants who need to be handled with care and not judged based on one nervous performance. He didn't talk about what had really been on his mind. His Test retirement. Notice of the same was given to the world through a press release by the BCCI, 44 minutes after the press conference discussing the drawn Test, also Dhoni's last. Nineteen days later Dhoni sat in the same chair, this time a day before the start of the tri-series, the official road to World Cup that India are hoping to defend. Dhoni still wouldn't talk about the retirement. He said it was his personal decision, and his right to keep the reasons to himself. He said he wanted to focus on what was ahead: the tri-series and the World Cup. Even there Dhoni wouldn't disclose who the openers were going to be in India's first ODI of the triangular series, against Australia on Sunday. There has been an on-going shuffle between*Ajinkya Rahane*and*Rohit Sharma*at the top of the innings ever since the two took turns to fill the openings left by Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Rohit did well at home, scored a double-century, struggled in South Africa and New Zealand, and got injured in England. Rahane stepped in, and did a commendable job. Then when Rohit got fit, you would have thought India would have made a decision. But*Shikhar Dhawan*was rested, giving India some more time before they made a decision. If anything, Rohit compounded the uncertainty by rattling off another double-hundred, against Sri Lanka. Now India have a choice to make. At least it is not as unpleasant as the last time India were here for a triangular, when Gambhir, Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar couldn't all be accommodated into one XI because that made it six slow legs, and they had to be rotated, which brought around some discomfort. Dhoni did concede, though, that the niggles going around in the team needed management and that India needed to stay prepared should they not heal in time. Two of his key players -*Ravindra Jadeja*and*Ishant Sharma*- will not be available for selection for Sunday. Jadeja has been out with a shoulder impingement. Ishant missed the Sydney Test, after three back-to-back Tests, with a sore left knee. They are both part of the World Cup squad, and India do not want to stretch them too early. The same would go with*Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who missed three Tests with a sore ankle. "Since 2007 the word experiment has been banned from India cricket," Dhoni said with a nod to the Greg Chappell days. "What we do is try out different things. We will in this tournament also. I think - we have four games at least and five if we make the final - what's most important for us is of course to get the combination right but at the same time what we won't do in this tournament is push people who have a few niggles that can transform into major injuries. We will give them that extra time if needed. Because what's important for all of us is to be at least 80 to 90% fit going into the games. We will manage the workload accordingly." This is where the presence of*Mohit Sharma*in the squad for the triangular becomes interesting. Should one of the side-lined first-choice bowlers not make it to the World Cup, Mohit is being tipped to be the next best. Does that mean India give him some game time too? "That's the major thinking behind them being here," Dhoni said when asked if Mohit and Dhawan Kulkarni would be seen as prospective World Cup players if the rehab for Jadeja or Ishant doesn't go well. "At the same time, we have to play with the 15 who are part of the World Cup squad. If we feel it's important we can give some extra time to a few of the individuals. Then they will also be considered for selection. But as of now, we will look to pick from the 15. But you can say for the tri-series as of now we are a 17-member squad." A glaring weakness in India's World Cup squad is the lack of a proper seam-bowling allrounder.*Stuart Binnyis here, but he is more a bits-and-pieces player. He can't lock in a place in the side either as a batsman or a bowler. Dhoni knows it, but is not complaining. "Depending on a few venues where we will be playing, it is important that we have a seaming allrounder in the side," he said. "We are playing a few games in Perth and a few in New Zealand where there's not much purchase for the spinners. And that's one area where Stuey may come in. "Irrespective of all the debate, the best seaming allrounder of India has been picked in the side. So we are hoping that he will stand up and take the responsibility. He is exciting you know. He can play aggressive shots if needed. And he's a good bowler. If he gives me six to eight overs, that's enough. I can use the other part-timers to bowl those two-three overs that are needed."
Cricket_Hacker Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 ^ yes.we need Binny to bowl us to victory against Ireland and Zimbabwe
diga Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Stuart Binnyis here' date=' but he is more a bits-and-pieces player. He can't lock in a place in the side either as a batsman or a bowler. Dhoni knows it, but is not complaining. "Depending on a few venues where we will be playing, it is important that we have a seaming allrounder in the side," he said. "[b']We are playing a few games in Perth and a few in New Zealand where there's not much purchase for the spinners. And that's one area where Stuey may come in. "Irrespective of all the debate, the best seaming allrounder of India has been picked in the side. So we are hoping that he will stand up and take the responsibility. He is exciting you know. He can play aggressive shots if needed. And he's a good bowler. If he gives me six to eight overs, that's enough. I can use the other part-timers to bowl those two-three overs that are needed." Best seaming allrounder of India is an exaggeration:cantstop:
BeautifulGame Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Best seaming allrounder of India is an exaggeration:cantstop: TBH in IPL he is the best Indian seam bowling all rounder .
rkt.india Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 TBH in IPL he is the best Indian seam bowling all rounder . He barely bowls much in IPL. In IPL, he has bowled only 58 overs in 32 matches, less than 2 overs per match. So, he is more like a part timer, like Ganguly was. Statwise, best seam alrounder in India is Rishi Dhawan.
jf1gp_1 Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Best seaming allrounder of India is an exaggeration:cantstop: what do you expect him to say ? bash binny ?
ravishingravi Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 He might be the most detached enlightened I have seen. He talks like fund manager than an Indian player. His decisions are definitely of fund manager
jf1gp_1 Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 He might be the most detached enlightened I have seen. He talks like fund manager than an Indian player. His decisions are definitely of fund manager So a journalists comments/asks India captain " there is a glaring weakness in India's World Cup squad lack of a proper seam-bowling allrounder" per you Dhoni shouldnt have spoken about Binny and said " Thats true, it will hurt our chance and i dont see us winning world cup" ??
ravishingravi Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 So a journalists comments/asks India captain " there is a glaring weakness in India's World Cup squad lack of a proper seam-bowling allrounder" per you Dhoni shouldnt have spoken about Binny and said " Thats true' date=' it will hurt our chance and i dont see us winning world cup" ??[/quote'] Who am I to say what he should or shouldn't have spoken ? Since when is Indian captain answerable to Indian fans
G_B_ Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 He barely bowls much in IPL. In IPL' date=' he has bowled only 58 overs in 32 matches, less than 2 overs per match. So, he is more like a part timer, like Ganguly was. [b']Statwise, best seam alrounder in India is Rishi Dhawan. +1 I think Binny is slightly better than Ganguly with the ball. With the bat lol i dont even want to think about it
jf1gp_1 Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 +1 I think Binny is slightly better than Ganguly with the ball. With the bat lol i dont even want to think about it that maybe true but with only 4 outside circle, flat deck a binny with ball might look at threatening as say a bopara bowling to Virat.
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