Dhoni says World T20 wide open
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday predicted a keen
contest during the upcoming World Twenty20, saying the race for the
title was too close to call.
“Anything can happen in T20 cricket,” Dhoni told reporters ahead of
the team’s departure for the Caribbean where the 12-nation tournament
starts on April 30.
“The format of the game is such that you just can’t afford to relax.
There will be no easy matches. Anyone can win it.”
India won the inaugural World Twenty20 in South Africa in 2007, but
failed to qualify for the semi-finals in the second edition in England
last year when Pakistan took the title.
Dhoni said fatigue would not be a factor for his team, despite
enduring the rigours of the six-week Indian Premier League Twenty20
tournament which ended on Sunday.
“We have to respect the schedule,” said the Indian skipper, who led
Chennai Super Kings to this year’s IPL title. “Playing for the country
is more important that playing in the IPL and that is enough to energise
the boys. The good thing is that everyone is fit and looking forward to
the tournament.
“We have a good chance to win the title because there is a lot of
talent in the team. But we have to play to our potential. Let’s just
hope for the best.”
The final will be played in Barbados on May 16.
India’s T20 squad:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Gautam Gambhir (vice-capt), Murali
Vijay, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Yusuf Pathan, Dinesh Karthik, Rohit
Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan,
Praveen Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Vinay Kumar. Coach: Gary Kirsten (RSA).
MUMBAI, Wednesday (AFP) -
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