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India has the firepower to exploit the conditions

It will be a good tour if the weather doesn’t spoil the show, says Mahendra Singh Dhoni

— Photo: AP

ALL ABOUT ADAPTABILITY: Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that the youngsters will have to get acclimatised to the New Zealand conditions quickly if India has to do well.

CHRISTCHURCH: India’s recent success against top sides like Australia notwithstanding, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said his team does not start as the favourite against New Zealand. The skipper, however, added that his team was well prepared to handle the seaming conditions here.

“You start from scratch when you go out to the middle. Whatever we have been doing in the past one year, we have to do it again. It doesn’t really change,” Dhoni said.

Dhoni said his squad, which will play two Twenty20 games, a five-match ODI series followed by three Tests during the 47-day tour, would have to adapt quickly as it prepares to take on a team that is dangerous as a unit. India has not won a Test series in New Zealand for the past 41 years.

Competitive side

“The New Zealand team is more about what they are as a unit, not as individuals. That’s their asset. They play well as a team. They back each other. They are a competitive side. It will be a good tour if the weather doesn’t spoil it,” said Dhoni.

Dhoni said the ODI series triumph against Sri Lanka will stand the Indians in good stead, just as the Kiwis would benefit from the drawn ODI series against Australia.

“It really helps to have tough, competitive cricket under the belt before a big series. You learn a lot. It’s not always just about winning or losing. We put a lot of emphasis on the effort we give on the field and believe a lot in the process.

“The series against Australia will help the New Zealanders. In the same way, playing in tough conditions in Sri Lanka will help us,” Dhoni added.

The 26-year-old captain said the youngsters would have to get acclimatised quickly if the team has to perform to potential. “It’s important to practice well and adapt quickly. The next few days will be important. Most of the guys haven’t toured New Zealand before.

“The conditions are very different out here. We now have more firepower to exploit the conditions, whether they are seaming conditions or a batting paradise. The first seven days will be vital,” he said.

Dhoni said his fast bowlers will be looking forward to exploiting the seaming conditions. “The seamers will get a bit of help. That is the first thing that comes to your mind. Apart from that, it is windy here. We know a bit about the conditions. But it is about adaptability.

“It helps that more or less the same group is playing in the three formats rather than having five guys coming in just for the Tests. Then it takes them more time to get used to the conditions and that definitely doesn’t help the team,” Dhoni added.

Learning curve

“It’s not only about being extraordinarily talented. It’s about knowing your limitations and not committing the same mistakes over and over. It will be a good learning curve for the youngsters. For those who perform, it will be a real confidence booster. For those who don’t do so well, it will be a valuable learning experience,” he said.

Asked about the team’s strategy for the Twenty20 ties, Dhoni said, “You have to have a few ideas as there is not much time to come up with an idea on the field. Twenty20 is played around cricketers who are naturally aggressive. You want people to play fearless cricket. There will be times when you have a collapse.”

Beautiful country

Apart from cricket, Dhoni said he was also planning to enjoy the natural splendour of New Zealand.

“This country is really beautiful. So, in the 47 days that we are around we want to enjoy the country. It shouldn’t be that we just play cricket and go back to India without seeing anything of New Zealand. There’s a lot to do out here. And there are not many people to disturb you either,” said Dhoni. — PTI

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