Sixes that nearly scrape the distant clouds may be the overwhelming image associated with M.S. Dhoni but the Indian skipper also has diplomatic-tact as a key ingredient in his armoury.
After an overnight nine-hour flight from Mumbai, the captain stepped up for the mandatory arrival press-conference at the Sandton Sun Hotel here, along with coach Duncan Fletcher on Monday evening. Chewing gum and disarming South African reporters with a smile and some witty one-liners, Dhoni deftly handled the queries about the ‘politics’ between the BCCI and Cricket South Africa that allegedly truncated a full-fledged series (seven ODIs, four Tests and a Twenty20) into an abridged one featuring three ODIS and two Tests.
To a pointed query on squabbling officials affecting the series’ schedule, Dhoni humorously quipped: “We can arrange a match for the administrators and let them have a go. We were busy playing cricket. We had nothing to do with it.”
It wasn’t just laughter and soft lines because once the media interaction concluded, Dhoni and the team shrugged aside jet-lag and rushed to the Wanderers Stadium for a round of practice well ahead of Thursday’s opening ODI against the Proteas, who recently suffered a 1-2 loss against Pakistan.
Excerpts from Dhoni’s briefing:
On a watered-down tour and its repercussions:
The relationship between the players of the two teams has been really good. The IPL, especially, has helped us a lot. Though there was some chirping, there hasn’t been a single case when the guys have crossed the line. (In case any fan threw something onto the ground) We will pick it up and give it back (laughs).
That’s what we can do. We have the big guy (pointing to the team’s security guard), to handle those situations. Whenever we have come here we have got a fantastic reception and I don’t think that will change. We need to respect the schedule we have. What is in our hand is two Test matches and from here we go to New Zealand and then there’s the Asia Cup.
ODI forecast:
Over here, what you may see is some good, exciting cricket. Generally, what we have seen in ODIs here is that the pitches provide something for the fast bowlers but at the same time, if you are a batsman who likes the ball coming onto the bat, this is the place to play. Johannesburg can be a high-scoring venue.
Excerpts from Fletcher’s briefing:
On pitches and conditions:
The earlier ‘A’ tour to South Africa, an ideal launch-pad. “Obviously the wickets weren’t prepared as they would be in the summer. But just coming out here and playing in South Africa, they (the players) get a feel of how the opposition works in South Africa.
So, psychologically, it’s quite an advantage, rather than coming out here cold and not knowing how South Africans play the game. They’ve got a feel of that. The bowlers we were up against were pretty quick, even if the wickets weren’t.
About the confidence in the ranks:
We were facing Australia not long ago, and (Mitchell) Johnson was getting it up to 151-152 kmph, and our top four handled this pretty well. Our batting seems technically equipped, we have good spin bowlers, a couple of seamers who can get it up to 140-145 kmph, so there is balance.
I only recently noticed that this is one of the most inexperienced Indian sides to tour abroad. I didn’t realise that, having been excited by the kind of cricket they have played. They are up for the challenge, they have no baggage and they really believe in themselves.
