Optimistic Mahi faces stern test
Galle, July 17: Despite the limited bowling options at his disposal skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appeared confident ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka here.
“If you compare our bowling to our batting, yes it is weaker. If you look at the long-term goal or objective, there’s plenty that we can get out of this series. There will be new young bowlers who will be getting exposure to international cricket, so overall I think it’s good for Indian cricket,” acknowledged Dhoni.
Appearing content at the efforts of the medium pacers in the Colombo practice match, Dhoni said that it was the attacking field around the bat that allowed a few runs to leak and the bowlers generally operated in the right areas.
“In a Test match you have to look at everything. You don’t really want the momentum of the game to shift. But I was happy with their effort.” The skipper was not perturbed by the batting display in Colombo either. A lot will depend on how Yuvraj and Harbhajan Singh shape up. The off-spinner missed the tour game due to flu. Dhoni however was hopeful of the two experienced players making a mark.
“Yuvraj is a really good batsman and looked in form. He has done well in all formats of the game. Hoping he turns up well and gets some big runs. Harbhajan has been weak. He spent some time bowling and batting today. We are hoping that he will be 100 per cent fit for the game,” added Dhoni.
Dhoni did not deny the team would miss the experience of Zaheer Khan and S. Sreesanth. The approach of the new combination will be interesting. “It’s vital in Test matches to be aggressive, but at the same time, being patient is important because these are the wickets where you won’t get too much of help.
“So you have to wait for the right opportunity, which maybe is early in the morning or late in the evening. The new bowlers need more input and we will be glad to provide that,” said Dhoni.
Post new comment