MS Dhoni confident of making impact in Champions Trophy

The Indian team are set to play two warm-up games before Champions Trophy begins. It will be a tough task for MS Dhoni as the Indian team played their last ODI Cricket in the month of January.

The Indian selectors have named quite a few uncapped players who have little to no experience outside the sub-continent. Murali Vijay doesn’t have a good record on foreign soil as he has been scratchy against short-pitched deliveries that are likely to come in generous quantities in the tournament. Although Dinesh Karthik was in great form in the IPL, he also does not have a good record in overseas matches. So India will be heavily reliant on Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni to deliver the goods.

The last time India toured England in 2011, MS Dhoni was man of the series in Natwest ODI Series. Therefore, Dhoni knows how to bat in these types of conditions. But the selectors have picked quite a balanced squad as they included Bhuvneswar Kumar, in addition to all-rounders Irfan Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja, to provide bolster the bowling attack. As the conditions are expected to aid swing, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick Irfan Pathan for first warm-up match.

India have very little time to prepare for Champions Trophy due to IPL commitments. But MS Dhoni is mentally strong and is ready for the Champions Trophy. “What you have got right is the stats,” Dhoni said. “They say that, after the IPL we have not done really well. So you have the stats to back you up on that.

“But I don’t think it’s for the IPL to be blamed if you say we have not done well after IPL. Let’s see how it goes. We have a few days before we get out and going in the business end of the tournament. Two practice games should be good enough. If not, then we’ll have to play a little 15 game tournament before the start of the tournament.

“It’s always good to come to England and play some cricket. We landed yesterday evening but the weather has not been really nice, so we are hoping it will turn out to be bright and sunny soon and we can go onto the field and start with some practice. I don’t think we’ll get good practice today, but from tomorrow maybe, yes.

“It looks good as of now. Nobody has got any niggles when it comes to the fitness aspect. It’s very important that the full squad remains fit throughout the span of the period so that you’re not forced to select your second 11 or third 11; it’s always good to feature the best 11 in each and every game.”