More than the expectations of fans and scrutiny by the experts of the game, Indian cricket's 'Fab Four' are burdened by their own high expectations which puts them under pressure every time they step on the field, feels India one-day skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Asserting that senior batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid -- still have a lot to offer, Dhoni said the quartet deserves a graceful exit as and when they decide to call it a day.
"There is more pressure on them because of their own expectation level and the fear of performance because they have set the benchmark so high that to be there always... there is more pressure that comes from within.
"I don't think you can really write them off, they have plenty in them. But at the same time you have to look into the future. It's all about transition, making a respectful last few years in their international career," Dhoni said.
Dhoni, who has impressed the game experts with his cool head and mindful strategies, also defended seniors place in the Test side.
"Do we have an option? We definitely have players who are talented and can make it big, but at the same time, it's not really about talent, their adaptability and preparation matter," Dhoni told NDTV in an interview.
Speaking about the four-Test series against the Australians, Dhoni said the hosts are well prepared to take on the World champions.
"Preparation wise, I think, we could not have done an inch more than what we have done. It's all about execution of plans and hopefully, the team will adapt and play better cricket," he said.
Dhoni also predicted tough times for the Australians if the pitches for the four-Test series favour spinners.
"If it is a normal Indian wicket that starts to turn may be from the tea session, then it will be tough for them. They will have to apply themselves to get the runs."
Dhoni, however, insists India are not depending on just its spin to trouble Australians and said the hosts have an equally potent pace-attack raring to go.
"It's not that we do not have quality fast bowlers. They have taken up the responsibility, they have pulled up their socks. We have quality spinners as well. We do not need to say anything about Harbhajan Singh or Anil Kumble .
"We are comfortable playing on any surface whether it is a spinner-friendly surface or a seamer-friendly surface," he said.
Dhoni said becoming only the second cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to receive the country's highest sporting honour -- the Khel Ratna -- is a 'special' feeling but it has also put him under pressure to perform at the same level next year.
"Khel Ratna is very special. That's the biggest sports award that I have got till now and nothing comes next to it. So it's real pleasure to get the Khel Ratna award.
"But the tough part to it, is to play cricket well again in the next year and try to get the award. But at the back of the mind, it's not about getting an award -- it's about playing some good cricket and helping the team to win," he said.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Fab four burdened by own expectations: Dhoni
BP XI gains moral victory in drawn match
Yuvraj Singh (113) lit up the morning session with his batting pyrotechnics, while Wasim Jaffer (93) was distinctly unlucky to miss his ton as Board President's XI declared their second essay at 292 for four, some 47 minutes after lunch.
Chasing an improbable target of 434, Australia finished at 127 for two wickets in 38 overs, with a serious question mark against their perceived invulnerability.
Ricky Ponting (58 not out) and Michael Clarke (36 not out) did get some runs under the belt and Australia certainly did a better job in their second innings but they were not convincing against the spinners, something that might hurt them in the Test series.
Ponting signalled his positive intent with three successive fours off Manpreet Gony but Chawla would often tease and torment him with his bag of tricks.
Among his teammates, Simon Katich (5) came a cropper again, while Matthew Hayden (14), returning from Achilles injury, could not dust the rust.
Meanwhile, both individually and collectively, the local outfit achieved what they came for. Their spinners mauled the Aussies, sowing the seed of doubt in their mind, ensuring they go into the series with lot of pressure on their shoulder.
The Board President's XI batsmen also exposed what Australia tried to hide that they are not the same bowling force in absence of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
The final day's play didn't see any change in the script and after Piyush Chawla and Pragyan Ojha had exposed Australia's laden-footed top order's frailties against anything that turns, Yuvraj and Jaffer took the onus on themselves to prove that their attack lacked venom.
Barring Stuart Clark, the Australian bowlers cut a sorry figure as Yuvraj and Jaffer added 200 runs in 44.3 overs, their free-scoring rate revealing the respect -- rather lack of it -- they had for the bowlers.
Off-spinner Jason Krejza copped it most and Yuvraj was simply merciless against the rookie off-spinner, milking 47 runs off his 26 balls that also included some morale-shattering hits over the ropes.
Resuming on 110 for two, Yuvraj smote Krejza for a massive six to bring up his fifty and unleashed him on both the offie and Michael Clarke whose left-arm spin proved equally ineffective.
With Yuvraj on song, it rained sixes and fours as the left-hander overtook Jaffer and his century came in when he hoicked Clarke over deep mid-wicket.
Yuvraj soon fell to Clark but the damage was done by then and the left-hander had plundered 113 runs that came off 143 balls and was studded with seven boundaries and as many sixes.
Jaffer, at the other end, remained his usual self, poised and confident. Occasionally, Yuvraj's aggression rubbed off in him as well and the Mumbaikar reverse swept Krejza and also stepped out to find the fence on a couple of occasions.
Seven runs from a well-deserved ton, Jaffer fell to Clarke, rapped in front of the wicket and that was the end of his 159-ball vigil, during which he hit 12 boundaries.
First innings centurions Rohit Sharma (29) and Virat Kohli (16) showed the same nonchalance and looked in punishing mood when declaration was announced.
Team up to Kumble-Bhajji challenge, says Ponting
It is obvious that the Australians are helpless against spin bowling, but skipper Ricky Ponting refuses to panic. In fact, he asserts that his team is up to the challenge of facing Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in the upcoming Test series.
Nine Australian batsmen surrendered to either Piyush Chawla , Pragyan Ojha or Yuvraj Singh in the first innings of the warm-up match in Hyderabad. In the second, only two wickets fell and that included Matthew Hayden -- perceived as one of the better players against spin bowling -- who was trapped by Chawla.
Ponting said it is not a case of surrendering before the opponent's spin might.
"When spinners bowl 75 per cent of the total overs, chances are more that you would lose wickets to them," he said, as matter of fact.
"No doubt they (Chawla and Ojha) bowled well and we disappointed in the first innings. But I think it was a good opportunity for all players to get some good practice (against spin bowling) before we reach Bangalore (for the first Test)," Ponting explained.
"Not everyone can be among runs in every game," he added.
Ponting, however, admitted that facing Kumble and Harbhajan would be the real challenge for the batsmen.
"Look both Kumble and Harbhajan are world class spinners, especially Kumble. He has been around for quite a long time and that's talking about the challenge that lies ahead. We have to play well against these guys," he said.
Australia's thin spin resource was also exposed in the four-day warm-up match, with lone specialist spinner Jason Krejza taking quite a battering, especially by Yuvraj.
Ponting, however, sees it as the learning curve for the rookie offie.
"I think he started well, used angles and tried things. But Yuvraj was very aggressive this morning and was in a hurry top pile up before declaring.
"Anyway, it's all part of learning. He is young, has the skill and talent. He would have to work hard on field placement and other things. He did not have much exposure as well," Ponting said in defence of the youngster.
With Victorian all-rounder Cameron White set to join the team in Bangalore as replacement for injured spinner Bryce McGain, the Australian skipper believes it would lend balance to the side.
"He's an all-rounder who can come as a batter as well. He has toured with Australia A and have done well on ODIs. McGain's return is definitely a setback for the team but I think it's also an opportunity for these guys (White and Krejza) to put their hands up and be counted," Ponting said
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