The Indian skipper took a dig at journalists for questioning the abilities of Sachin Tendulkar: "Be careful when you speak and write about Sachin."
That's skipper Dhoni's warning to critics who had been questioning the batting maestro's abilitiesHOBART: After the thumping win, it was the scribes' turn to face the 'ire' of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Indian skipper took a dig at journalists for questioning the abilities of Sachin Tendulkar: "Be careful when you speak and write about Sachin."
Tendulkar returned to form with a crucial 63 that helped India reach the tri-series finals. It was also his first half-century in eight matches. "He proved everyone wrong. One should be cautious when writing about him. It can influence the public and youngsters badly," Dhoni said.
"They were like bombs waiting to explode. And finally they did. We should not question their abilities," he added, comparing Tendulkar with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.
The visibly elated and charged-up skipper was decisive in his answers. Having reaped the benefits of five-bowler policy, he made it clear that there will be no place for Virender Sehwag if India opt for five bowlers. Sehwag did not play on Tuesday.
Praising Praveen Kumar, he said: "Praveen bowls with a lot of will and guile. He is very deceptive. He appears to bowl at 120kmph but he can clock 135 in the speed gun." He also urged the UP bowler to work on his batting so that he could emerge as a genuine all-rounder.
He felt the key to victory was the bowling of Praveen and Irfan in the middle overs. "We expected some help from the wicket after winning the toss. Praveen and Irfan bowled with discipline." He also had words of praise for Ishant Sharma.
"Ishant needs a break. He is not your normal Indian bowler, he prefers to hit the deck. He is young and fresh and may get a few niggles. We should give him rest when he bowls at 145kmph. He has been bowling non-stop for a long time.
We've a good bowling attack. When RP Singh and Zaheer Khan come back, we will have a complete line-up and then we can shuffle the pacers to give everyone enough rest."
Dhoni said the team is ready for the final. "Sydney will see loads of runs. Our bowling and batting are falling in place. We hope to do well."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}