Asia Cup T20: MS Dhoni says games before World T20 helping India settle down
India's limited overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said the Twenty20 Internationals before the World T20 next month is helping them settle down in the format.
India played three T20Is in Australia followed by three more at home against Sri Lanka. Now they head to Bangladesh where the Asia Cup will be played for the first time in the shortest form of the game. The tournament will be hosted at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur from February 24 to March 6.
Good preparation for World T20
"The good thing when it comes to the preparation is that there were three games in Australia. Yes, the conditions were different but then we played three T20Is with Sri Lanka and India and now the Asia Cup. So it gives you time to settle into the format," Dhoni said in Kolkata during the pre-departure press conference before the team departed for Dhaka to participate in the Asia Cup.
"In this format, you have to take away the price tag from your wicket. You have to be more aggressive and take a bit more risk. I always felt it is easier to switch from T20s to Tests but it is more difficult to change from Tests to T20s."
The 34-year-old added that these games have given him the opportunity to try out different combinations just before the World T20, that will be held across seven Indian cities from March 15 to April 3.
"Now we have got the extra time to get used to everything; also, the roles and responsibilities that individuals would have in the bowling and batting departments. So I feel it is good for us we are getting these games," said the Ranchi-born.
Death bowling not an issue in T20s: Dhoni
"We can also try out a few different things. Often you don't get much T20 games before the world event. It's good in a way and we should get into the groove nicely."
India has many a times suffered when it comes to the death overs with Dhoni's bowlers going for plenty. Asked if the 2007 World T20-winning skipper is worried about the same, Dhoni promptly replied: "It is a worry in the 50-over format. Slog overs there last 8-10 overs, but in T20s, it is only for three overs.
“I don't think it is much of a worry in T20s. We have two fast bowlers who have been bowling well at the death."
It is a norm that if India doesn't do well, they come under heavy criticism from every sector. But Dhoni is not too worried about the same.
"100 percent questions will be raised (if we don't do well). They have been always raised. When we lose the final there are questions as to whether we could not handle the pressure.
“But we will just look to repeat our performances of the last few matches and enjoy the game," said Dhoni.