Don't believe the hype, warns Dhoni
Julian Guyer
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni warned his team to ignore the hype
and national hysteria that will dominate the frenetic build-up to
Saturday's World Cup final against Sri Lanka.
India, riding a wave of patriotic emotion, swept past arch-rivals
Pakistan by 29 runs in Wednesday's highly-charged semi-final and will
aim for a second world title in Mumbai to add to their 1983 triumph.
"There'll be plenty of things happening around us, like in this game,
but what's important is not to get distracted. We all know what our jobs
our as professional cricketers so we'll stick to that," insisted Dhoni.
"Sri Lanka are a very good side and they have done really well so far in
the tournament.
Close games
"The format's really helped us. We had quite a few close games where
the youngsters were really tested at the crease. I think slowly they're
getting into the groove."
India made 260 for nine against Pakistan after Dhoni won the toss, a
total that owed much to man-of-the-match Sachin Tendulkar's fortuitous
85 with the superstar batsman dropped four times.
But the India bowling attack, seen by some as the team's weak link,
then proved its worth with all five members taking two wickets apiece.
Recalled left-arm quick Ashish Nehra led the way with two for 33 as
Pakistan were dismissed for 231. "I felt after the end of the first
innings 260 was a good score, I wouldn't say it was a safe score because
it was important not to give away too many runs with the new ball,"
added the captain.
Home ground
Turning to Tendulkar, who will have a chance to score his hundredth
international century on his home ground in the final, Dhoni said: "I
think he batted really well and when he's there he makes it really easy
for the others to score because he guides them really well.
"If you bat with Sachin for 15 games you have the kind of experience
you'd have after 50 games." But what really filled Dhoni with confidence
was the India squad's spirit. "The team unity, the way we are backing
each other and not criticising any player.
If somebody is having a bad time on the field we are making sure he
is wanted and everybody is helping each other," he explained.
"I'm proud of the side that I've got. You can see a definite
difference between the fielding we did back in a few series and now.
100 percent
"They're giving more than 100 percent for the World Cup. You can't
always control the result but you can always control the amount of
effort you put in so that's what's in our hands and that's what we're
doing." One concern for Dhoni is his own batting form.
MOHALI, India, Friday AFP |
