Dhoni ready for tricky tie

After leading India to their first win in eight Super Eight matches, MS Dhoni and company enjoyed football, taking a break from the game of bat and ball during Monday’s practice session.  The importance of their final Super Eight match against South Africa, however, wasn’t lost on the Indian captain, as he spoke to the media. Excerpts.

On strategy against South Africa: Our strategy will depend on what has happened in the previous match, what the result of that match was. There is no point making a strategy now because it is possible that we might not require the strategy we come up with now. As far as selection is concerned, it remains in the dressing room. Virender Sehwag specifically, if you see his track record against Pakistan, it has been very good. So it was very difficult to leave him out.

On the final Super Eight match: Last match of the Super Eights... It could also turn out to be our last match of the tournament. We will see what the situation is, what we need to do. Of course, to win will be important. But if there is an equation about margins, it will be tricky. It will also depend on how the wicket plays on that day.

On South Africa’s show: They are a very good side. If you see their bowling lineup, it looks a very complete bowling line-up with fast bowlers, Jacques Kallis, a few spinners and at the same time, they have got batsmen who can really score runs at a good pace right from AB to Kallis to Amla to JP Duminy. But in this format, you have to click as a team or if you have someone like Chris Gayle in your side, then he needs to click on his own to win games.