India captain banks on openers to fire
South Africa face tough test in blockbuster today.
NAGPUR:
India skipper MS Dhoni said he was looking to openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to fire at the top of the order as the host nation eyes the quarter-finals ahead of their crucial Group B match against South Africa today.
“If our openers can bat as long as possible, it will be good for us because from what we have seen, if Sachin and Sehwag get going it is difficult to stop them,” Dhoni said on the eve of the match.
“I am just hoping that in the upcoming games we have slightly bigger partnerships so that the middle and the lower middle order can use the explosive power well.
“We rely on momentum and if we get a good start, our lower order can really cash in on the platform that is provided to us.”
The explosive Sehwag and Tendulkar are capable of dominating any attack but their highest stand in the World Cup so far has been 69. When asked whether India would be wary of South African paceman Dale Steyn in today’s clash in Nagpur, the Indian captain said: “Not only Steyn. All of them are talented and can get batsmen out and you have to be at your best.”
The Indian captain said his team was well-prepared for the upcoming matches against South Africa and the West Indies after three wins and a tie against England in their four matches so far.
South Africa wary of
co-hosts
Meanwhile, South Africa face a tough test of their World Cup credentials against unbeaten India as they look to get their campaign back on track. The Proteas started the tournament impressively with a comfortable win over the West Indies and an overwhelming victory over the Netherlands but they lost narrowly to England when they came under real pressure for the first time.
India, with seven points after four games, are virtually assured of a quarter-final slot but South Africa’s hopes hang in balance. Following the defeat to England, South Africa captain Graeme Smith hit back at claims that his side had ‘choked’ again at the World Cup in a match that raised fresh questions about their nerve in tight games.
“That’s not predictable at all, is it?” said a sarcastic Smith, when questioned about South Africa’s composure.
“Pressure? We’ve handled ourselves in some tough situations. I don’t think pressure is our weakness.”
Paceman Morne is one of the key cogs in an impressive bowling line-up that gives Smith a range of dangerous pace and spin options. But South Africa suffered a blow ahead of today’s game when leg-spinner Imran Tahir became a doubtful starter after fracturing his left thumb during the England match.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2011.
India skipper MS Dhoni said he was looking to openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to fire at the top of the order as the host nation eyes the quarter-finals ahead of their crucial Group B match against South Africa today.
“If our openers can bat as long as possible, it will be good for us because from what we have seen, if Sachin and Sehwag get going it is difficult to stop them,” Dhoni said on the eve of the match.
“I am just hoping that in the upcoming games we have slightly bigger partnerships so that the middle and the lower middle order can use the explosive power well.
“We rely on momentum and if we get a good start, our lower order can really cash in on the platform that is provided to us.”
The explosive Sehwag and Tendulkar are capable of dominating any attack but their highest stand in the World Cup so far has been 69. When asked whether India would be wary of South African paceman Dale Steyn in today’s clash in Nagpur, the Indian captain said: “Not only Steyn. All of them are talented and can get batsmen out and you have to be at your best.”
The Indian captain said his team was well-prepared for the upcoming matches against South Africa and the West Indies after three wins and a tie against England in their four matches so far.
South Africa wary of
co-hosts
Meanwhile, South Africa face a tough test of their World Cup credentials against unbeaten India as they look to get their campaign back on track. The Proteas started the tournament impressively with a comfortable win over the West Indies and an overwhelming victory over the Netherlands but they lost narrowly to England when they came under real pressure for the first time.
India, with seven points after four games, are virtually assured of a quarter-final slot but South Africa’s hopes hang in balance. Following the defeat to England, South Africa captain Graeme Smith hit back at claims that his side had ‘choked’ again at the World Cup in a match that raised fresh questions about their nerve in tight games.
“That’s not predictable at all, is it?” said a sarcastic Smith, when questioned about South Africa’s composure.
“Pressure? We’ve handled ourselves in some tough situations. I don’t think pressure is our weakness.”
Paceman Morne is one of the key cogs in an impressive bowling line-up that gives Smith a range of dangerous pace and spin options. But South Africa suffered a blow ahead of today’s game when leg-spinner Imran Tahir became a doubtful starter after fracturing his left thumb during the England match.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2011.