India can cope with pressure, says Dhoni

India captain says his team is well-equipped to handle the pressure of home crowds.

BANGALORE: India captain MS Dhoni said his team is well-equipped to handle the pressure of playing in a World Cup in front of home crowds.

India, champions in 1983, disappointed millions of their fans four years ago when they were knocked out in the first round, following a shock defeat against Bangladesh in their opening match. This time the hosts have raised fans’ expectations after doing well both at home and abroad with Dhoni and former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten as the coach at the helm.

“Pressure is an added responsibility,” said Dhoni, whose team is one of the favourites. “Whenever you play for India, there is always pressure. But the good thing is we have a very experienced team.

“Most of the guys have been there for five-seven years and know how to handle pressure. We have some talented youngsters who can change the course of any game.”

The hard-hitting batsman said planning would be the key to success in the World Cup. “It is very important to have right strategy, always be ready with Plan B or Plan C and at the same time not take any added pressure.”

Key batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir missed the recent One-Day Internationals in South Africa, but were expected to be fit for India’s opening match against Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 19.

India will also play England, South Africa, the West Indies, the Netherlands and Ireland in the preliminary league with the top four qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2011.