Dhoni in dilemma over team composition

SYDNEY: India may be keen to seal a place in the cricket tri-series final by putting it across Australia but Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday admitted that getting the right composition for the crucial game was a 'very difficult' proposition.

Dhoni said leaving a player of Virender Sehwag's caliber out of the team was tough but the team had to sacrifice a batsman if it persisted with their five-bowler theory.

"The worst part is only 11 players can play. If we can play with 12, 13, 14, 15 players, it is very easy. But everybody wants to play and everybody is crucial for the side", Dhoni said.

"If you see the past and you see the kind of batsmen, it becomes very difficult for the skipper to take a decision," he said.

"But at some point of time you have to decide whether you are playing five bowlers or four. And if you are playing four bowlers, there is no question of dropping Sehwag. But when you stick to five bowlers then you have to decide whom you are dropping. It's part and parcel of the game," he said.

Dhoni made it clear that he would leave no stone unturned to beat the Aussies in their penultimate league encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground as it would provide India a chance to test their bench-strength before the finals.

"It is very important to try and seal it over here. Of course, it gives us the liberty to take some of the other batsmen who are vital and make a good score. But till they play, it is tough to realise that," Dhoni said.

"It gives us the liberty to try a few combinations. So we would love to seal it over here, but it's tough," he added.