India to battle England as First test starts today

Ahmedabad: Team India’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of his side playing with three front-line spinners in the first Test against England on a dry Sardar Patel Stadium wicket here on Thursday.

Dhoni praised the fighter in Yuvraj Singh -– on and off the field -– and said the left-handed batsman has already slipped back into Test cricket after a long gap.

“He looks in good shape. It takes a lot of fitness to score a double hundred; just hoping that he does not have to field for two days. There is no need for the car which is capable of a long haul to be driven the full distance. Our effort will be to make the route shorter.

“He’s an aggressive character. He’s someone who really wants to perform at the top level. The best thing for us is he bats at number five or six and his left-arm spin. It’s a very important role for us as we don’t have a genuine all-rounder and play with four bowlers. His contribution will be very important. He can be quite intimidating the way he bats. He is someone who can really dominate,” Dhoni said.
Dhoni also informed that speedster Ishant Sharma will not play in first Test as he is yet to recover while all others, including Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav who did not practice on Wednesday with the rest of the team, were available for selection.

“Ishant has got viral and not recovered fully. All others are available,” said Dhoni.

On Ashok Dinda, called up as back-up for Sharma, Dhoni said it was just an extra precaution that the team has taken.

“He is just a back up. If someone breaks down in the night or on Thursday morning then he comes into the picture,” said the India wicketkeeper.

He also predicted an entertaining contest between Yuvraj and his bunny, recalled England batsman Kevin Pietersen who calls the Indian pie-chucker for his part-time left-arm spin bowling.

“I never doubted that he (Pietersen) would be part of the squad when the English team comes to India whatever was happening around at that point of time. Of course he is a great batsman who loves to play his shots. You will enjoy the contest between him and the pie-chucker,” he said.

Though Dhoni was not willing to openly say that the wicket at the Motera stadium would crumble at some stage, Dhoni expected it to help the spinners a bit.

“It looks like a good wicket though I am not a great reader of wickets. It may slow down and spinners would get a bit of assistance. (There) may be a bit of reverse swing for the fast bowlers. I will see how it behaves. Definitely it looks to be on the drier side,” Dhoni said.

“I feel they have changed the soil from the last time we have played here. They have used a bit more of clay into the preparation of the wicket. Definitely I feel it will turn. But will have to see the pace of the wicket,” he explained.

Dhoni said the Indian team would never disrespect England though his side are playing at home.

“What is important is you need to respect the opposition. You play 60 to 70 per cent of your cricket in your own country and you are supposed to be good there. Once you go to a different part of the world it’s a fresh challenge for you. Every country feels the same. It’s no different for England.

“When we go out we also face big challenges. That’s why I feel each and every tour is very special. It’s the same for the English side,” Dhoni remarked.

He said it was not under his instruction that England were denied practice in their three-warm-up games against some top Indian spinners, barring a few overs from Amit Mishra in the last game here.

“That’s an administrative decision about which I cannot say. No instructions went sent from my side,” he said.

On the call from retired great Rahul Dravid to give a more hands-on role to coach Duncan Fletcher in selection matters, Dhoni said the coach was already a part of the selection process (though without a vote).

“We (captain and coach) are part of selection process. It’s a new selection committee. We had a very good first meeting. Let’s see how it goes. As of now we are definitely a big part (of the committee),” Dhoni said.

(Agencies)