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MS Dhoni has insisted the IPL is not compromising the success of the
India team. While the Twenty20 league has brought huge financial
benefits to Indian cricket, the on-field benefits are less obvious. But
while Dhoni accepted that India's record in international series
following previous IPL seasons was modest, he felt the positives of the
league far out-weighed the negatives.
With the IPL having only finished on May 26, India's arrival in England
was delayed until May 29. While several other sides have enjoyed greater
preparation time in English conditions - Pakistan have played Ireland
and South Africa are playing Netherlands - India have time for only two
warm-up games and have experienced only T20 cricket in very different
conditions since their last ODI in January. And with the English summer
living down to its reputation - India's hopes of outdoor training were
hindered by rain on Thursday - it could well prove that India go into
their first Champions Trophy match against South Arica in Cardiff on
June 6 with little meaningful preparation.
"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."
Apart from the opportunity of testing themselves against some of the
finest players in world cricket, Dhoni also said that participating in
the IPL had allowed his players to get into "good rhythm."
"You have to look at the positives," he said. "The players that are
playing the IPL, they had good exposure to international bowlers because
bowlers from all over the world, they come and play in the IPL, right
from Dale Steyn to the best that the world has to offer, which means
most of the players are in touch. They are in good rhythm.
"Also, this year was not really hectic. We have to travel, but we all
know in India the hospitality business is really good so from the hotels
to the airline business, I don't think that really pushes us on the
back foot."
Dhoni said Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumar might be key men for
India in the Champions Trophy, suggesting that Jadeja's all-round skills
would provide balance for the side and that Bhuvneshwar's swing
bowling, with two new balls and in English conditions, could be a potent
weapon.
"Of course with the new rules we'll be forced to play with five bowlers
and Jadeja has done really well for us, giving us that balance that's
really needed," Dhoni said. "We are hoping that he does well because it
will be a great he'll be a great asset to the side with his stamina,
with his bowling and a bit of batting down the order. I think he'll be
someone who will really help us get the balance that's really needed in
an ODI squad, and there are a few others. If it doesn't work there are a
few others that can still do the job, and we have options in the side.
"Bhuvneshwar Kumar is someone who can swing the ball. Even in
subcontinental conditions he is someone who can swing the ball both ways
and he bowls in really good areas. It will be a good outing for him.
He's someone who's really young, so he has plenty of cricket ahead of
him. He just needs to enjoy the challenges that come in front of him. We
all know he's someone who will do well, but we just have to see how he
bowls from the 5th to the 8th because now, with the two new balls, he is
definitely someone who will have an impact on the game."
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo
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© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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