Oct. 6: Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named skipper for the Test Team of the Year while two other Indians — Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag — also found a place in the XI at the seventh ICC Awards on Wednesday.
Even as India attained the No.1 ranking in Tests last December there have been question marks justifying the tag with Dhoni’s men not having won a Test series in South Africa and Australia yet.
However, Dhoni, who was also the skipper of the World Test team in 2009, said the team deserves the No.1 tag. “This is a side that has gelled really well. We still need to improve in many areas though. Our ground fielding, in particular, needs to be a lot better. It helps the bowler considerably if the fielding is good,” Dhoni said.
Speaking about the sensational one-wicket win in the first Test against Australia in Mohali, Dhoni said it was one of the greatest matches he has ever played in and paid tribute to VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma’s determination. “We were eight down with 90 odd runs still needed. More often than not one would think the game is over. But the manner in which Ishant batted was great. You don’t often see Test matches going that close. It is one of the greatest matches I have ever played in,” the skipper pointed out.
Dhoni said the thrilling win will provide motivation to his team ahead of the second Test, which will be played here from Saturday. “Being on the winning side gives plenty of motivation in itself. It is not difficult for the team to regroup after a game like the one in Mohali. In fact, if we can have another match like Mohali (in Bengaluru), it will be great for Test cricket,” he added.
On missing Ishant and opener Gautam Gambhir for the second Test against Australia in Bengaluru, Dhoni said: “Most of the time in recent years we played with four bowlers and relied on part timers to do the additional bowling. However, in the last couple of years someone or the other has stepped up and done the task for us. Also, we have to take care of our many injury worries. We can’t afford to lose players every now and then.”