Melbourne, Dec 25: As the much-awaited Boxing Day Test against Australia approaches, India skipper MS Dhoni gets set to face perhaps his sternest test yet. But even in the face of this formidable challenge, Dhoni exudes the calm that has defined him right through his tenure.
Addressing the media ahead of the first Test, Dhoni spoke about his players and their current form, giving little away when it came to his team’s plans.
Excerpts from the press conference
On the team’s pre-series preparations
We've taken care of the preparation. If 12-14 days are not enough, then even one month wouldn't have been enough. We've worked and looked at our preparation from all angles so that once we are on the field, we can play by instinct and not worry about other factors. Our batters have toured here in the past. They know these conditions well. The first practice wicket [in Canberra] was very different, a bit on the slower side. But this one in the nets here in Melbourne has a bit more bounce which is useful.
On the pressure of expectations
How we start in the first Test is important. We want to be in the moment, break the match into sessions and try to win more sessions than the opposition team. If we win enough sessions, we will win the Test. Our emphasis would be on small things, not on where we want to be at the end of the fourth Test. There's no point in taking that extra pressure. It will not help us. We need to keep it simple.
On the fitness of Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma
We've missed Zaheer quite a few times in the past. We did give them [Zaheer and Ishant] some time off; they bowled in the practice game as well as in the practice session. They are shaping up well. There are two more days and we know a lot can happen in two days. Hopefully they will all be available for selection.
We've tried to take as many precautions as we could [regarding Zaheer and Ishant]. The players have also played their part – they’ve worked outside the field, in the gym – and have gone through the rehab sessions they needed to. They have put in a lot of effort in practice. Hopefully they won't have any injuries. Everyone's fit for the game. All the players are looking fit which you need for this format of the game. We don't need to be worried.
On Ishant’s return to form
Ishant is a very honest player. He works really hard in the nets. In the few years he has been with the team, he's someone who turns up on the field and gives his 100 percent. He has a good attitude. He plays 60-70 percent of his cricket in India where it's difficult to motivate yourself; even if you bowl at 140kmph, the ball hardly reaches the wicketkeeper.
On Sachin Tendulkar’s hundredth international century
[Sachin] keeps it simple. He will get it, sometime in this or the next Test, this or the next series. It is on the way. It isn't something he won't achieve. But if he gets it soon, everyone will feel relieved. Getting 100 hundreds is something really big. If you ask me, he's played more international cricket than we have even practiced. He also shares a lot with the youngsters who are new to the side.
On Virender Sehwag’s impact
Virender Sehwag is a key player for us. We rely on him to give us a good start. He scores at a quick pace, puts the opposition bowlers under pressure. When he is at the crease, you can't bowl warm-up deliveries. Whether it's the first delivery or the last ball before stumps, he [will] score. It doesn't matter as long as it is in his area. It's good to have him in the side. He enjoys the way he plays. He backs himself to play those shots.
On the role of the spinners in the series
Spinners have key roles in the longer format, especially. As the game goes on and the wicket becomes slower, you need spinners to make use of the foot-marks. You need them to keep things tight, give time off to fast bowlers and give crucial breakthroughs.
On R Ashwin
It's good to have him as he has a few variations. Even when the wicket is not helping him, he adapts well. That's a big positive. The wickets here would be different from [those on] the subcontinent as he would get good bounce. He can capitalise on it but he needs to be patient.
On his own modest form with the bat
It's not been a brilliant year for me at No. 7, but I've scored a lot of 80s. Sometimes I have run short of partners, as it was in South Africa. All of a sudden, I didn't have batsmen batting with me. I tried to score runs and got out. However, I would like to improve as an individual. Great players are helping me.
On the inexperienced Australian bowlers
People talk a lot about inexperience. Even [Glenn] McGrath and Shane Warne made their debuts [at some stage]. They hadn't played many games but in due course, they became legends. Youngsters can also do so. Inexperience will not count as long as you can adapt to the conditions.
On the importance of fielding on the big Australian grounds
It's massive, a really big ground. We have seen batsmen run four, even five [runs] if possible if the fielder is slow. Because the outfield is lush and green, the shots get slow and you run a lot of singles which puts pressure on the fielders in the outfield. It's a bit of a concern [because] fielding is very important. We've got quite a few good fielders in the outfield. What we want to achieve, though, is good catching in the slips. I think that would be important.
On avoiding the controversies that plagued India’s last tour to Australia
Individuals do make mistakes. But as a professional cricketer, you don't want it. There is a lot at stake, people look up to you, so you want [the tour to be] controversy-free. Still, it's important you make it interesting.
