India should be more comfortable playing in a format in which they have been world champions and have also won three of their last five Twenty20s. With India and Australia having won two Twenty20s each against each other, both teams would be looking towards improving their records.
Dhoni believes that the inclusion of talented youngsters in the team will help him do just that, feeling that the younger brigade has helped in lightening up the dressing-room atmosphere, and has also ensured that fielding standards will also improve during the series.
“Our limited-overs side looks very different from our Test team,” said Dhoni. “The new boys who have come in are noisier, which really helps lift the dressing-room atmosphere and everything is more lively. I don’t think it’s very difficult to stay positive despite a disastrous tour so far.
“We’ve really improved as a fielding side, especially in the shorter formats. On average, out of four fielders, three of them can really stop the batsmen taking a quick single. When it’s needed in the slog overs, they can field at the boundary without much hassle. I don’t have to be too worried about placing the right fielders at the right position.”
Bailey wants to continue momentum
While Dhoni has the distinction of leading his team the most times in Twenty20s, Australia will see a new captain, who is yet to make his international debut, taking up the reigns.
However, George Bailey did not seem overawed by the prospect of leading his national team on debut and declared that Australia would do everything to ensure the visitors’ disastrous tour continues.
“It’s important we continue the momentum of the Test team, not just in the cricket they played, but in the standards they’re setting at their training,” said Bailey. “We’ve talked about that as a T20 group to continue what the Test side started and allowing the One-Day International team to have that feeling when they get together as well. Every opportunity we get to hit the ground running, we have to take.”
Bailey said he was excited at the prospect of leading Australia and realised that it was a huge responsibility.
“I’m just excited to be here and be leading and hopefully continuing on the great start to the summer that Australia have had,” he said. “I’m nervous about captaincy and debut.
“From the playing aspect you’re anxious to get out there and perform, and the captaining side of things I’m really comfortable with that.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2012.
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