India are the only team to record wins in all their Champions Trophy matches but Dhoni cautioned his young side against complacency in the final against England. PHOTO: AFP
CARDIFF:
India may be entering the Champions Trophy final on the back of the only unbeaten run in the tournament but captain MS Dhoni insisted he was taking nothing for granted ahead of the world champions’ clash with hosts England at Edgbaston tomorrow.
India thrashed Sri Lanka, the team they beat to win the 2011 World Cup final on home soil in Mumbai, by eight wickets in Cardiff on Thursday.
After Dhoni won an important toss, excellent seam bowling from man-of-the-match Ishant Sharma (three for 30), Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (one for 18) and Umesh Yadav put a brake on Sri Lanka’s scoring from the start, with the islanders struggling to 181 for eight off 50 overs, with only captain Angelo Mathews (51) and Mahela Jayawardene (38) making notable scores.
India then cruised to their victory target of 182 with 15 overs to spare thanks to 68 from opener Shikhar Dhawan, who extended his record as the tournament’s leading scorer to 332 runs, at an average of more than 110, and Virat Kohli’s 58 not out.
On the other hand, England, bidding for a first major One-Day International (ODI) title, looked in fine form in defeating South Africa by seven wickets at The Oval in Wednesday’s first semi-final.
Dhoni admitted India needed to approach the final with caution. “I think they are a very good side, like each and every one when it comes to the Champions Trophy,” said Dhoni. “This means all of them are strong enough to beat anyone on that particular day and win the trophy.
“We have played England quite often in the last couple of years so we know the same amount about them and they know the same about us.”
Dhoni’s side has won eight of their last 10 ODIs against England, albeit all those matches were in India.
Sharma confident of rattling England top-order
The fast-bowler, asked if an England top order including captain Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott, known collectively for solid rather than spectacular run-making, was the most dangerous India had faced in this competition, replied, “I don’t think so.
“If you are bowling in good areas no batsmen will enjoy playing you. This is what we have been doing in the last five games and we will do the same thing in the final.
“We have played good cricket until now, we don’t need to change anything. We will stick to the patterns and our strengths.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2013.
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The winning players will get $100,000+ each, the losing, half of that. A good reason to win, or at least be there.