Champions Trophy: Pre-flight instructions

Dhoni says India will need to adapt to playing outside sub-continent with new ODI rules.

Skipper MS Dhoni has said that India will have to adapt quickly to their first experience of playing under the new ODI rules outside the sub-continent in order to win next month8217;s Champions Trophy in the UK.

8220;There are a few challenges in front of us as this is the first time we will be playing outside India,outside the sub-continent after introduction of new ODI rules. There is time to prepare,we have two warm-up matches,8221; Dhoni told reporters at the pre-departure press conference. 8220;It is a tough tournament as the top eight teams will be there and each match will be difficult. Overall,it is looking good and we have time for preparation. We have won it jointly 2002 in Sri Lanka but we have not won it outright. I think it8217;s a good opportunity as this is the last time the Champions Trophy may be held.8221;

India are grouped with Pakistan,the West Indies and South Africa and will begin their campaign against the Proteas at Cardiff on June 6. Dhoni said he was confident about his pace attack doing well in English conditions. 8220;When it comes to this particular fast bowling line-up,I believe there are players who can exploit the conditions very well,somebody like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The way he swings the ball and Umesh Yadav who has the pace. They just have to adjust to the new rules,the five fielders being inside the circle,what is the length they need to bowl. How quickly they can adapt to the wicket and which are the right areas to bowl,8221; the captain said.

Dhoni said he was looking forward to India8217;s game against Pakistan at Edgbaston. Both the sides are balanced. They will have Saeed Ajmal who is their mystery bowler. So I think it will be a good competition. Our batsmen have to figure out how to score runs and at the same time our bowlers can exploit the conditions. As we know India-Pakistan is always a good game whether it is a bilateral series or Asia Cup or any other tournament, he said.

Dhoni said it was a good chance for youngsters to assert themselves in the team. There are a few places that are up for grabs. It will depend on the individuals,how they perform. If it is too cold then the fast bowlers may get a slight edge over the spinners to start off. I think overall it8217;s a good platform for youngsters to improve themselves to get good exposure, he said. 8220;It is a good thing that all of them have spent a fair amount of time playing at international level. Shikhar and Vijay have been consistent. They have been rewarded and I hope they capitalise so that there is not much pressure on middle order and they can express freely on field. Let8217;s see how it goes, he said.

Dhoni recalled that the weather played a major role when the team last played ODIs in England 2011.

When we last went to England for ODIs,just look at the results,you will see that we haven8217;t done well but I personally feel we have done decently well. Rain was a big factor and we lost all the tosses. In most games we didn8217;t even reach a stage where it would have been decided through Duckworth/Lewis,8221; he said. 8220;The spinners had to bowl with literally wet balls which made it impossible for them to use their skills. I think the performance of the ODI squad was good over there if you don8217;t see just the results, he said.

No talk of fixing

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Team manager Dr R N Baba had asked the media to refrain from asking questions about subjects outside the Champions Trophy,and specifically about the IPL spot-fixing scandal. To a question that skirted the specifics of spot-fixing,Dhoni said that cricketers always had to bear in mind the example they set to younger players.

8220;I think as cricketers we always have that extra sense of responsibility with us. Bring all the people into the arena and at the same time encourage the youngsters to do the right thing so that youngsters approach the sport and take it as their livelihood and play to their full potential,8221; he said.