'Need to get the combo right'

Barring questions on his retirement and opening combination, MS Dhoni was happy to answer every other question on team’s preparations for the World Cup, starting here with their tri-series clash with hosts Australia on Sunday. Excerpts.

 
On India experimenting in the tri-series: Since 2007, the word experiment has been banned from Indian cricket. What we do is try out different things. We will in this tournament also. I think we have four games at least and five if we make the final – what’s most important for us is of course to get the combination right but at the same time what we won’t do in this tournament is push people who have a few niggles that can transform into major injuries. We will give them that extra time if needed. Because what’s important for all of us is to be at least 80 to 90 per cent fit going into the games. We will manage the workload accordingly.

On Ravi Shastri taking break without notice: He only had a few days off and we are alright with it. In a long tour like this a break is important especially for those who sit outside and watch. It can be quite draining for them.

On performance of bowlers in Tests, and them working hard in the nets: When the format changes, a lot of things change. The whole demand of the game is different. In the ODIs, what is important is to use the new-ball well. Bowl in the right areas and then what becomes crucial is the execution of yorkers and bouncers effectively.

That’s what we’ve been working on. Whatever few days we’ve practiced the bowlers have executed the yorkers. If we can replicate the same kind of execution in the games we will be very happy.

On the importance of a seaming all-rounder and if he is happy with Stuart Binny: Depending on a few venues where we will be playing it is important that we have a seaming all-rounder in the side. We are playing a few games in Perth and a few in New Zealand where the last time we toured there’s not much purchase for the spinners.

And that’s one area where Stuey (Stuart Binny) may come in. Irrespective of all the debate, the best seaming all-rounder of India has been picked in the side. So we are hoping that he will stand up and take the responsibility.