Besides providing real match practice to the players, it will be instrumental in giving the teams a fair idea of their strengths and weaknesses and what changes, if any, they need to make going into the big event.
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“But that will depend on where we are positioned in the tournament, in Asia Cup especially”.
“I would like to give everybody a game as it is important to have a settled team ahead of the World T20”. If we win the World T20 very comfortably, than questions will be asked whether we have peaked too early.
This form should not be surprising, if you’ve paid attention to what Yuvraj did in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic T20 competition, after being recalled to India’s squad.
After winning two T20 series on the bounce, Dhoni is beaming with confidence as he claimed that Team India has all the ingredients to win big tournaments.
About missing the services of key pacer Mohammed Shami, Dhoni said the team’s bowling looks much sharper when Shami is in the squad.
Star spin bowler Rangana Herath returns to the shortest format of cricket after two years as Sri Lanka chose a mix of experience and youth for its 15-member squad for the World Twenty20 starting next month. You might not pick him and then you see somebody like a Shami 100 per cent fit in 10 days. He has been one bowler who has bowled well for us, be it upfront or at the death, so that was considered. Nehra is a sure starter for the World Twenty20, fitness provided, and Bumrah should consider himself likewise after taking nine wickets in six T2OIs. “But if he’s fit, our bowling attack looks better”.
Talking about five-time champions India, they find themselves in the best shape and space among their chief challengers Pakistan, Sri Lanka and not-to-be-underestimated hosts Bangladesh.
The 34-year-old said, “We have played T20s in Australia and the at home in recent times”. This is the format where you have to be a bit more aggressive. It’s always easier to switch from T20 to Test format than from Test to T20. It gives us the time to get used to the roles in the side. The one odd element to India’s otherwise well-oiled batting order.
“The good thing when it comes to the preparation is that there were three games in Australia”. We are looking very good as of now. Of course if we have a partnership where everyone is doing well till 18th or 19th over than I can promote myself. But in a normal scenario, I don’t see myself getting a promotion. We are a good batting side.
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“This question has come up a lot of times”, he retorted. You can’t keep asking the same questions. Judge everything as to why it needs to be done. “It’s a world today where everything is covered by media”, he implored. “Now you have to explain me what that means”. If you ask me what’s your name, I will say “MS Dhoni”…
