BIRMINGHAM, June 22:
India have not devised any “special plans” for the ICC Champions Trophy final against hosts England, according to captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who said his team will just go in with the same approach like they did in the previous matches.
“We dont have any special plans. We will go with the same approach like we did in the match against Pakistan and the semifinal (versus Sri Lanka),” Dhoni said at the pre-match press conference today.
Dhoni said his bowlers have done a good job in the tournament so far but death bowling was a bit of a concern.
“We have exploited the condition well and we have bowled the right areas, which I feel is very important. Also, what we have done is bowled in one area quite consistently.
“But still, death bowling is a concern. It’s an area we need to improve as a team,” Dhoni said.
India have so far played very good cricket in the Champions Trophy and Dhoni said the first 10 overs was very important for any side while bowling as well as batting.
“I think so far in this tournament that’s what we have seen. If you get off to a very good start, batting or bowling, you are able to put pressure on the middle order and then you can restrict the opposition from scoring freely,” the Indian skipper said.
“Or, if you are batting first if you have wickets, you can get those extra 20 or 25 runs and it can prove very crucial because with the five fielders inside, you want that cushioning of those extra 20 to 25 runs.”
Dhoni admitted that England’s pace attack had the quality to test the best of batsmen, but said India’s top-order was fully prepared to tackle the English bowlers.
“The English are a very good team, especially the bowlers. What we are positive about is the fact that our top-order has done well, and also the fact that they have played some of the best bowlers in world cricket so far in the tournament. So I think they are quite well prepared for the English bowlers, it’s just that like in every game, you have to apply,” Dhoni said. (PTI)
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