MS Dhoni explains his game plan, wants to give bigger role to Yuvraj Singh and Hardik Pandya
The Indian cricket team defeated Australia in the second T20I by 27 runs in Melbourne today. By winning the match, they also won the three-match series with one match yet to be played. It looked like a photocopied image of the first T20I as the Australian middle-order crumbled in front of the spinners while chasing yet again. It was a collective bowling performance from team India led by the spinners, including Yuvraj Singh.
In the post-match press conference, Indian skipper MS Dhoni was very confident talking to journalists as he extensively talked about his game plan in the second innings. He revealed that he had faith in the spinners to change the match on their own and hence did not panic when Australia got off to a flying start.
He said, “I was pretty sure of what I wanted to do. I did not want to give the spinners any overs in the first six, even if the run rate goes to ten an over. I knew that the spinners will have a very good chance after that. Though the conditions were pretty wet, I thought that the spinners will adjust their length. So, I decided that whatever happens I’m not going to use the spinners in the first six.”
He was asked about the possible combinations for the upcoming World T20 the Indian captain said, “If you are saying possible then definitely it’s possible. But the conditions will be very different. Now we are playing in Australia and the World T20 will be played in India. So, there will be a few changes.”
The strength of the pie-chucker is his bowling – Dhoni
When asked about the performance of Yuvraj Singh, who is making a comeback into international cricket with this series. Dhoni said, “The strength of the pie-chucker is his bowling. He bowled really well. As I have said, we need more individuals who can do more than one job in the field. It just adds on to the strength of the side.”
India have already won the three-match series and one match is still to be played. The reporters asked him if the team management will be doing some experiments in the last match of the tour. The 34-year-old said, “We want to see what Yuvi and Hardik do with the bat, but experimenting is very tough. And we also need that opportunity.”
The Ranchi-born cricketer also talked about promoting himself up the batting order. He said, “It’s my job. If a partnership is going on strong and if it’s the 15th or the 16th over then it’s my time to come in and play the big shots.”