Adjusting to new ODI rules overseas will be challenging: Dhoni

Mumbai – India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said that playing under new rules in ODI cricket will be their main challenge in the Champions Trophy beginning June 6 in England and Wales.

Speaking ahead of the team’s departure for the last ever Champions Trophy tournament, Dhoni said it was a good opportunity for India to win the tournament.

“We have not yet won Champions Trophy, so it is a good opportunity for the team. The competition will be great but we have a balanced side,” Dhoni said. India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners of the 2002 edition.

Playing in English conditions is always a challenge but Dhoni is also wary of the new rules which came into effect last November.

“It will be first time that we play under the new rules overseas and it is going to be a challenge,” said Dhoni, who has earlier expressed his unhappiness at the changes made in the 50-over format.

As per the new rules, one new ball will be used at each end, bowlers will be allowed two bouncers an over, there will be no bowling Power Play, the batting Power Play will have to be completed before the 40th over, and no more than four fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle at any stage in the innings.

India play two practice matches before their tournament opener against South Africa June 6. Dhoni feels his side will get enough time to adjust to the conditions.

“The good thing is all of them have spent a good amount of time playing (in IPL). So, it is an ideal opportunity for players to perform at the highest level.

“There is a lot of time before the first match. There is also a lot of interval before the first match.”

India had a tough time when they toured England in 2011, losing the Test series 0-4 and five match ODI series 0-3.

“We did not play well in Tests but we did decently well in the one-dayers. We lost all tosses, we had two spinners who had to bowl with the wet ball, so I think we did well enough,” said Dhoni.

On the India-Pakistan contest June 15, Dhoni said: “Pakistan is a good side. They have quality fast bowlers and also have (Saeed) Ajmal. It should be a good contest. I hope we will be on the winning side.”