We need to forget recent poor patch: Dhoni

India skipper wants side to look at positives going into Pakistan match.

ADELAIDE:

India captain MS Dhoni urged his team to forget their losing streak in Australia as they prepared for their World Cup opener against arch-rivals Pakistan.

The defending champions have endured a miserable three months on tour in Australia where they were beaten 2-0 in the Tests and did not win a match in the subsequent tri-series.

But Dhoni said that Sunday’s clash against Pakistan, which he described as a ‘prized game’ on the cricket calendar, was an opportunity for players to transform themselves into heroes.

“There is of course more intensity when we play Pakistan because the game is followed by so many fans,” said the Indian captain. “But I see it as a good platform for the team to perform. We need to forget the past and try to not make the same mistakes. It’s been a long summer but the positive thing is that we have got used to the conditions. The boys are looking good.”

Unlike Pakistan, India have been lucky enough to escape injuries and have their first-choice 15 fit for the clash. “I can also proudly announce that all 15 are fit and available for selection — unless something happens between now and tomorrow.”

Dhoni said he did not need to calm nerves ahead of the key encounter, explaining his players were used to appearing before huge crowds in the Indian Premier League and during other high-profile home games.

A sell-out crowd of 47,000 at the refurbished Adelaide Oval and millions of passionate fans across the world will follow the Pool B match which organisers said was sold out within 20 minutes.

Dhoni played down repeated questions about India’s impressive 5-0 record World Cup record against Pakistan, saying what mattered more was how the team played on the given day. “All I know is that I am asked a lot of questions about the record,” he said. “I am not bothered about statistics because what happened in the past will count for little in what is a prized game for all.”

The current Indian squad has just four players — Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravichandran Ashwin and Dhoni himself — who were part of the winning side four years ago. “There have been a lot of changes in the last four years,” said Dhoni. “But the current team has played together for a long time and knows what is needed in pressure situations.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2015.

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