Match not a factor for WC pick: Dhoni
Jan. 14: With India’s 15-member World Cup squad to be announced in Chennai on Monday, the Saturday’s day-nighter against South Africa here is the last chance for players on the fringe to swing the votes their way.
However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was certain the Indian cricket control board’s senior selection committee wouldn’t to a late performance over consistency.
“Guys who have worked hard for the last year-and-a-half may get a chance. So here at Wanderers we will try to field the best possible playing eleven. I think for the World Cup, fight is on for just one or two position as rest of the players will choose themselves,” the Indian skipper said.
“It is up to the selectors though. Here in South Africa we will try and give chance to as many players as possible to play in the final eleven,” Dhoni said.
After the 135-run defeat in Durban on Wednesday, India have just three wins from 21 one-dayers in South Africa. Dhoni, however, reckoned they could pull of a win if the batsmen followed the plans. “Main thing will be to go on the field with positive intent. Being selective will be crucial but you have to score runs on bad balls. You cannot just try to survive by scoring just two or three runs per over. Of course there will be something for the fast bowlers especially if you are bowling under lights,” he said.
“Giving your 100 per cent is more important. If you are letting your mind affect your thought process after losing toss then you are not giving your 100 per cent,” Dhoni said.
“It doesn’t matter whether we have won or lost the first match because we have to start from the scratch tomorrow. We have to play to our potential to win here,” he added.
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