Workload too much on Indian bowlers: Dhoni

The team is without pace spearhead Zaheer Khan,who is nursing a shoulder injury,while Ishant Sharma and Ashish Nehra are recuperating from niggles and are doubtful for tomorrow’s ODI tri-series match against Sri Lanka.

Dhoni advocated a more frequent rotational plan for the bowlers given the workload on them.

“Bowling department needs a bit more rotation compared to batting department. You have to see where exactly the bowler or the batsman is. Whether he plays a few more games or if he is given rest in the next few games. What will be the impact,” Dhoni said at the pre-match press conference.

“So,accordingly you decide if rest is needed. Then you give rest to the players so that they do not get injured and get some time to recover from niggles. That is the criteria when it comes to giving rest to someone. It has worked for us so far and I am just hoping that it will work for us in the near future,” he said.

“The workload on the bowler can be too much if you see specially those playing both the Test matches and the ODIs.

Because the workload on them is a bit too much,that really challenges the limit. For batsmen,they don’t have to put in the same amount of effort compared to a bowler,” he added.

Asked whether the burden needs to reduced at the domestic level,Dhoni said it is upto the individual player to decide on that.

“I think it is upto the individuals to do their best in whatever opportunities they get. Whether it is domestic cricket like the Duleep Trophy,the Challengers and the Deodhar Trophy.

“It is better off personally if you can rest someone and prevent him from getting injured. You know that actually does not hamper his form. The kind of momentum that one gets because of good performances can just continue and he will always be in a positive frame of mind,” he said.

It has been a frustrating trip to Sri Lanka for the Indians so far. They laboured to a 1-1 draw in the Test series and lost by 200 runs to New Zealand in the opening match of the ODI tri-series but Dhoni said the dressing room is still lively.

“We had some time off. So we tried to make the most of it. We had a few days off. I don’t think the spirit has been affected that much. Of course,it was a disappointing loss. So hopefully we will turn up on the field well prepared for the challenges,” he said.