Bengaluru, Feb 10: Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday played down the hype surrounding India’s chances at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 saying that the team’s focus was on ‘the process and preparation’ and not on the pressures and expectations that the tournament invariably brings. Dhoni was confident that his teammates would rise to the responsibility and emphasised the importance of having back-up plans ready if the initial strategy in a game didn’t work in their favour.
Averse to offering names, he explained that the middle-order of the Playing XI would be decided on the basis of playing conditions, the situation in the match and batsman’s form.
Excerpts from a media interaction
On whether ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 was his biggest challenge yet as India captain
A lot of hype is always created around the World Cup but I know that every series that we play we have a lot of expectations [heaped on us]. This time the World Cup is being played in India and we are expected to win. The atmosphere was much the same when we went for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. Expectations will always be there and it won’t be right to consider this as the final frontier. It is one of the big tournaments and the team needs to do well over here. What we need to realise is that it is always the process and preparation that will help us achieve success and not thinking about how big the tournament is.
On the pressure of sporting the captain’s armband and the transition from the 2007 to the 2011 edition
Well, it is added responsibility, not pressure and I always say that when you are playing for the Indian cricket team, you won’t play a single game where there is no pressure on you; but slowly you get used to it. The good part is the mix of players is really good. We have got some very experienced players in the side. Most of the players have played for seven years at least and that is a very good sign. At the same time, we have got some very talented youngsters who can really change the course of the game.
On the difference between the 2007 CWC side and the present one
Those 45 days [ICC CWC 2007] we didn’t play good cricket. Apart from that both teams [the previous CWC team and the current one] looked really good. Before that World Cup, the 2007 team also did really well ahead of the tournament. But in the tournament we did not play good cricket whatever the reasons may be. As far as talent is concerned, both the teams are really good but it is not just talent that always matters. We always have to go on the field and start from scratch and give a good performance.
On whether the loss to Bangladesh in the last edition will play on their minds
It is a fresh start and we need to do well is all that I will say.
On the batting Powerplay
The batting Powerplay is a big plus and big negative at the same time. A lot will depend on what kind of result you get in those five overs because most of the teams will look to accelerate during those five overs with wickets in hand. We will look to get as many runs as possible. But what we have seen in the past is that quite a few times the batting team loses three odd wickets and you see the game changing again. And after that you have to bat 50 overs and it important at what point you take the Powerplay. It is a tricky one and it can work in your favour in a big way and it can work against you in a big way.
On Team India’s strategy
It is very important to have the right strategy and be ready with a Plan B or C if needed. In the subcontinent you need to have a few plans up your sleeve because during the games it does not always go in your favour. I think that is one of the most important things. At the same time we are not taking any added pressure because if you take care of the small steps, at the end of the day you will get the desired results.
On team composition
Well, for that you have to see which venue you are playing [at], the wicket that has been provided. If the wicket is slow and low then maybe we can think about it. But if you know the wicket is not slow and it is a placid wicket then it becomes a bit tricky and playing with two pacers and three spinners can be a bit difficult. But definitely, that is one of the options that we can always think about since the World Cup is happening in India.
On who was most likely to make it to the Playing XI between Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina and Yusuf Pathan
Well, it is good if people are fighting for one slot because at the end of the day the player who will get picked will be the most appropriate one and more suited to the conditions than the other one. The best thing will be that he will be in very good nick.
On the possibility of the 2011 edition being the last CWC for Sachin Tendulkar and Gary Kirsten
The feel is the same irrespective of where you are positioned when it comes to some players or the coach. What is important is for the team to concentrate more on the process and the preparation rather than thinking about all the other things.
On the tournament’s importance in establishing 50-over cricket
I am a big fan of 50-over cricket because [in] Test matches we have to wait for five days and T20 cricket, things happen in five overs. I am a big fan of the 50-over version because it is a mix of the Test and T20 format. If you lose quick wickets and are three-four down in the first 15 overs then you see a glimpse of Test cricket where a couple of batsmen [are] battling it out for runs and in the last five or seven overs they go for [the] slog. I have always loved ODI cricket but that does not mean that I don’t like Tests or T20s. It is a big stage, especially because it is happening in India, and it has a big fan following. Everybody is looking forward to the World Cup.
On his prediction for what promises to be a closely-fought tournament
You will see most of the teams doing really well and it will be a tough competition. It will be exciting for the spectators. I don’t have to say much about people saying that the tournament actually starts from the quarter-final. I think it will be interesting right from the start. People consider some of the games as boring but as you saw in the last World Cup, it was the boring games that took out the whole excitement from the tournament. Keep your eyes open for them.
On whether D/N matches would be an advantage for India
What we need to see is whether there will be dew on the field because it is fairly cold right now. If you see, the evenings get much cooler than the afternoons. So you will have to see whether there is dew on the field. And if you are looking at having two or three spinners in your team then it will have a big impact. If that is the scenario it is always good to bowl first.
On the weather during the tournament
I don’t think it will be very hot during the tournament. People say that hot weather benefits the subcontinental teams but that only happens when the temperature crosses 43 or 44 degrees and there is a lot of humidity. So I think as the tournament progresses the temperature will keep going up. So if there is some dew at the start of the tournament, it won’t be a factor in the later stages. It will be quite interesting, and hopefully, let’s wait and see whether it benefits the subcontinental teams.
On Praveen Kumar missing out on the CWC
As far as injuries are concerned, it is unfortunate that Praveen had to miss the World Cup. He has featured consistently in the ODI squad wherever we have played and he has done very well for us. Of course you can say it is unfortunate but at the same time you can’t really restrict injuries from happening to the players. It is a big stage and it rarely happens that you are part of the World Cup squad [when] it is happening in India or any other home country. I think he will miss it and we will also miss him. He is a street-smart cricketer and whatever the conditions may be, he has done well.
On any other injury scares
Niggles keep happening now and then. Hopefully nothing major for the World Cup.
