The Hindu : Sport : Dhoni banking on fresh players

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Sport

Dhoni banking on fresh players

Principal Correspondent

Rajkot: M.S. Dhoni admitted that the switch from a high-intensity Test series to a frenetic set of one-day matches is difficult.

However, the Indian skipper is banking on a fresh set of players to change the mindset.

“In three days’ time to switch over from the last Test series and get on with one-day cricket is tough but as an international cricketer you have to do it. The positive thing is half this side does not play Tests and those players are fresh,” Dhoni said here on Thursday.

The Indian captain also played down the ‘Dhoni vs Pietersen’ tag. “If cricket was about just two individuals then Pietersen and I could have played chess. It is about out-playing a team and not about targeting an individual,” Dhoni said.

On the pitch for Friday’s match, Dhoni said: “The pitch is soft and there is a bit of grass. It looks like a wicket that will assist the fast bowlers in the first hour.”

Batsmen’s game

Meanwhile, Pietersen said batting will decide the outcome of the series.

“The team that bats well will be triumphant. Our bowling has been special with Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff coming back and we also have Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Samit Patel,” the England captain said, besides praising Ravi Bopara.

Pietersen said the team will get over its 124-run defeat against Mumbai. “Hopefully we have learnt enough lessons so that we can come out and fire on all cylinders. Against Mumbai, the wicket was a bit different and we played a new attack about which we were not fully aware of,” Pietersen said.

Pietersen also reflected on the similarities with the Indian captain. “Dhoni and I are free spirits and we play entertaining cricket. In terms of cricket we are pretty similar, though I haven’t spent much time with him,” Pietersen said.

Power play rule

The new power play clause, which states that the batting side can choose one power play session evoked a ‘wait-and-watch’ reaction from both skippers.

“It is a bit confusing and we need to get used to it. Once the batting side opts for a power play, we need to change our plans a bit. It is exciting but we will see how it shapes up,” Dhoni said.

“The game’s administrators are doing things to make one-dayers more exciting and this power play rule is part of that move. We need to wait and learn,” was Pietersen’s take.