We’re all in this rot together: Dhoni
Indian captain denies rift as Australia look to make early inroads in 3rd Test.
PERTH:
MS Dhoni has rejected suggestions of in-fighting in his team on the tour of Australia, saying the claims were possibly the result of a beer-induced fantasy.
Australia’s Brad Haddin said earlier this week that the Indians, who trail 2-0 in the four-Test series, ‘turn on each other’ when things are not going their way, while another media report suggested that Dhoni was at odds with vice-captain Virender Sehwag.
However Dhoni, speaking on the eve of the start of third test at the Waca, said his team remained united and were all moving ‘in the same direction’.
“I’ve never seen the Indian team fight,” he said. “It’s something that I think is happening maybe after a few beers, with the opposition just sitting and dreaming of it because it’s not really happening. That’s something we are really proud of, when we talk about the dressing room atmosphere and how we love each other’s success. We just try and strengthen it further.”
India consider four pacemen
Meanwhile, India are considering an unusual four-pronged pace attack for the Test but will not settle on their final line-up until just before the match, according to Dhoni. A grassy pitch has greeted the Indians at the Waca, with the curator predicting the pitch will have more pace and bounce than the corresponding Test against England last year.
“A lot depends on how it looks before the start of the game. It will affect us to some extent, especially in the bowling department. We have to see how much grass is taken off and how much rolling is done and how hard it is. We have to see whether the spinner will get some kind of assistance or not.”
If India go for an all-pace attack, the obvious replacement for Ravi Ashwin is 27-year-old medium-pacer Vinay Kumar, who will be making his Test debut, but has played 15 One-Day Internationals. Unfortunately for India, Ashwin has been their second most productive batsman in the series, his 143 runs at 35.75 behind only Sachin Tendulkar.
Dhoni said India were determined to go down fighting against Australia.
“We want to get back in the series. We’ve learnt a lot from the England series and have learnt a lot from this series also. There are two Test matches to go, so we are hoping for the best.”
Aussies ‘set to ignore golden rules’
Australian captain Michael Clarke is considering ignoring two of his own golden rules for the third Test.
With the luxury of a 2-0 series lead, Clarke said he was considering going for broke against the Indians, not only by using four seamers, but by bowling first if he wins the toss.
“I really find it hard to bowl first if I win the toss no matter what the conditions are like,” he said. “And I find it really hard to leave a spinner out of my team no matter what conditions are like. But in saying that you need to do whatever is best to win the game. The conditions are obviously going to suit fast bowling, especially on day one. I need to assess conditions and make a couple of very smart decisions.”
He hinted that paceman Ryan Harris was certain to return, to replace the injured James Pattinson, leaving spinner Nathan Lyon and young left-arm quick Mitchell Starc vying for the final spot in the team. He said the return of Harris, who took nine wickets against England at the venue last summer, would ably compensate for Pattinson’s absence with a foot injury.
“I need to assess the conditions before we make a decision on our 11th player. We’re without James, but Harris is back and he’s as good a bowler as I’ve played with. I’m confident our attack, whether we go with three or four quicks, can get the job done.”
MS Dhoni
“I’ve never seen the Indian team fight. That’s something we are really proud of, when we talk about the dressing room atmosphere and how we love each other’s success. We just try and strengthen it further.”
Michael Clarke
“I find it hard to bowl first if I win the toss, no matter what the conditions are like. And I find it hard to leave a spinner out of my team no matter what the conditions are like. You need to do whatever is best.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2012.
MS Dhoni has rejected suggestions of in-fighting in his team on the tour of Australia, saying the claims were possibly the result of a beer-induced fantasy.
Australia’s Brad Haddin said earlier this week that the Indians, who trail 2-0 in the four-Test series, ‘turn on each other’ when things are not going their way, while another media report suggested that Dhoni was at odds with vice-captain Virender Sehwag.
However Dhoni, speaking on the eve of the start of third test at the Waca, said his team remained united and were all moving ‘in the same direction’.
“I’ve never seen the Indian team fight,” he said. “It’s something that I think is happening maybe after a few beers, with the opposition just sitting and dreaming of it because it’s not really happening. That’s something we are really proud of, when we talk about the dressing room atmosphere and how we love each other’s success. We just try and strengthen it further.”
India consider four pacemen
Meanwhile, India are considering an unusual four-pronged pace attack for the Test but will not settle on their final line-up until just before the match, according to Dhoni. A grassy pitch has greeted the Indians at the Waca, with the curator predicting the pitch will have more pace and bounce than the corresponding Test against England last year.
“A lot depends on how it looks before the start of the game. It will affect us to some extent, especially in the bowling department. We have to see how much grass is taken off and how much rolling is done and how hard it is. We have to see whether the spinner will get some kind of assistance or not.”
If India go for an all-pace attack, the obvious replacement for Ravi Ashwin is 27-year-old medium-pacer Vinay Kumar, who will be making his Test debut, but has played 15 One-Day Internationals. Unfortunately for India, Ashwin has been their second most productive batsman in the series, his 143 runs at 35.75 behind only Sachin Tendulkar.
Dhoni said India were determined to go down fighting against Australia.
“We want to get back in the series. We’ve learnt a lot from the England series and have learnt a lot from this series also. There are two Test matches to go, so we are hoping for the best.”
Aussies ‘set to ignore golden rules’
Australian captain Michael Clarke is considering ignoring two of his own golden rules for the third Test.
With the luxury of a 2-0 series lead, Clarke said he was considering going for broke against the Indians, not only by using four seamers, but by bowling first if he wins the toss.
“I really find it hard to bowl first if I win the toss no matter what the conditions are like,” he said. “And I find it really hard to leave a spinner out of my team no matter what conditions are like. But in saying that you need to do whatever is best to win the game. The conditions are obviously going to suit fast bowling, especially on day one. I need to assess conditions and make a couple of very smart decisions.”
He hinted that paceman Ryan Harris was certain to return, to replace the injured James Pattinson, leaving spinner Nathan Lyon and young left-arm quick Mitchell Starc vying for the final spot in the team. He said the return of Harris, who took nine wickets against England at the venue last summer, would ably compensate for Pattinson’s absence with a foot injury.
“I need to assess the conditions before we make a decision on our 11th player. We’re without James, but Harris is back and he’s as good a bowler as I’ve played with. I’m confident our attack, whether we go with three or four quicks, can get the job done.”
MS Dhoni
“I’ve never seen the Indian team fight. That’s something we are really proud of, when we talk about the dressing room atmosphere and how we love each other’s success. We just try and strengthen it further.”
Michael Clarke
“I find it hard to bowl first if I win the toss, no matter what the conditions are like. And I find it hard to leave a spinner out of my team no matter what the conditions are like. You need to do whatever is best.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2012.