Naved's first spell will be crucial - Dravid
After two weeks of hectic travel, both teams have landed in Delhi for the last match of the one-day series, a game that India must win to level the series
Rahul Bhatia in Delhi
16-Apr-2005
After two weeks of hectic travel, both teams have landed in Delhi for the last match of the one-day series, a game that India must win to level the series. Here's what the two captains, Rahul Dravid and Inzamam-ul-Haq, had to say to media on the eve of the match:
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Rahul Dravid
About his expectations for the last game
We expect a good contest. I think it has been stated a lot of times, but the difference between the two sides yesterday [at Kanpur] was one exceptional knock. There wasn't much else to choose between the two sides. It's been an evenly fought series. We've held the upper hand at some stages, they're wrested the initiative back. It's up to us to put up a good performance in the last game and square things up.
We expect a good contest. I think it has been stated a lot of times, but the difference between the two sides yesterday [at Kanpur] was one exceptional knock. There wasn't much else to choose between the two sides. It's been an evenly fought series. We've held the upper hand at some stages, they're wrested the initiative back. It's up to us to put up a good performance in the last game and square things up.
How he feels about India's recent performance
It's not nice to lose three games in a row. I think the guys in the side understand that we have played some good cricket in the series and even in these three matches [that we've lost]. So the guys know that if we can get Afridi early or put up a good score on the board, there's not much to choose between the sides. So the guys are confident. On the given day, the team that performs better will win.
It's not nice to lose three games in a row. I think the guys in the side understand that we have played some good cricket in the series and even in these three matches [that we've lost]. So the guys know that if we can get Afridi early or put up a good score on the board, there's not much to choose between the sides. So the guys are confident. On the given day, the team that performs better will win.
About missing Sourav Ganguly
At the end of the day we've got 15 guys selected to play. People miss games at various stages, whether through injuries or other reasons. It's up to the 15 people who represent India to give their best.
At the end of the day we've got 15 guys selected to play. People miss games at various stages, whether through injuries or other reasons. It's up to the 15 people who represent India to give their best.
On why Naved-ul-Hasan has troubled the Indians
He bowled well early because he has put the ball in the right areas and bowled good outswing, and has been able to return later and bowl reverse-swing and put the yorkers in the right areas. He bowled well in the Pakistan series [last year] so we knew he was good in the one-day game. The success that he has had up front means that they haven't missed Shoaib Akhtar as much. I think the key is that if we can see through his initial spell, we can put up a big score.
He bowled well early because he has put the ball in the right areas and bowled good outswing, and has been able to return later and bowl reverse-swing and put the yorkers in the right areas. He bowled well in the Pakistan series [last year] so we knew he was good in the one-day game. The success that he has had up front means that they haven't missed Shoaib Akhtar as much. I think the key is that if we can see through his initial spell, we can put up a big score.
About the Kotla pitch
The pitch will remain the same for both teams. We're going to see the Ferozshah Kotla after this, and only after having a look can we create strategies. There will be no advantage or real disadvantage for either side.
The pitch will remain the same for both teams. We're going to see the Ferozshah Kotla after this, and only after having a look can we create strategies. There will be no advantage or real disadvantage for either side.
On whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni will continue to bat at No. 3
He's playing well. All things start as an experiment. Veeru's elevation to opener started as...well, not an experiment, but as something out of the ordinary. The same is with Dhoni. He has played well this series. When we have Sachin [Tendulkar] and Sehwag up the order, someone like Dhoni can help maintain that momentum. As long as it's going well for us, it might be something that we'll continue. Nothing is written in stone. So we'll review this on a regular basis.
He's playing well. All things start as an experiment. Veeru's elevation to opener started as...well, not an experiment, but as something out of the ordinary. The same is with Dhoni. He has played well this series. When we have Sachin [Tendulkar] and Sehwag up the order, someone like Dhoni can help maintain that momentum. As long as it's going well for us, it might be something that we'll continue. Nothing is written in stone. So we'll review this on a regular basis.
On whether it was a shock to be beaten by a team seen as pushovers
We never considered Pakistan a pushover. I don't think anyone in the team believed that. Since the World Cup we haven't played to our potential in the one-day game and we need to be honest enough to admit that. We still have a chance to square the series and hopefully we'll do that tomorrow.
We never considered Pakistan a pushover. I don't think anyone in the team believed that. Since the World Cup we haven't played to our potential in the one-day game and we need to be honest enough to admit that. We still have a chance to square the series and hopefully we'll do that tomorrow.
On John Wright's five-year term as coach coming to an end
It's been an eventful journey for John. It's had its ups, it's had its downs. But in the end, we've probably had more ups than downs. We value his contribution to the team in helping us grow and in helping us play good, exciting cricket around the world. He will be missed not only as a coach but also as an elder person whom we could talk to at different points of time. I think, more than being sad, it's a moment to celebrate some of the times we've had over the last five years. Maybe tomorrow will give us a good chance to thank him for that.
It's been an eventful journey for John. It's had its ups, it's had its downs. But in the end, we've probably had more ups than downs. We value his contribution to the team in helping us grow and in helping us play good, exciting cricket around the world. He will be missed not only as a coach but also as an elder person whom we could talk to at different points of time. I think, more than being sad, it's a moment to celebrate some of the times we've had over the last five years. Maybe tomorrow will give us a good chance to thank him for that.
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Inzamam-ul-Haq
About the wicket
Before I see the wicket, I can't say anything. But yes, both teams will have to play on the same wicket.
Before I see the wicket, I can't say anything. But yes, both teams will have to play on the same wicket.
On Pakistan's performance
The boys have worked very hard. After losing the second Test we came back and did the same in the one-dayers. The boys worked hard for this.
The boys have worked very hard. After losing the second Test we came back and did the same in the one-dayers. The boys worked hard for this.
Whether the Australian tour helped
The Australian tour was a tough one. The boys had a good opportunity to learn. We did not start too well, but the boys worked hard and day-by-day our performances improved.
The Australian tour was a tough one. The boys had a good opportunity to learn. We did not start too well, but the boys worked hard and day-by-day our performances improved.
About Sami's fitness
Sami is getting fit. He is not yet 100% fit, but I will know more after his fitness tests this evening.
Sami is getting fit. He is not yet 100% fit, but I will know more after his fitness tests this evening.
About his cool demeanour in the fourth ODI, when Pakistan needed a run off the last ball
I can't really say that I wasn't under pressure. I was under tremendous pressure.
I can't really say that I wasn't under pressure. I was under tremendous pressure.
About Shoaib's absence
People keep saying that Shoaib has not come, but if you look back you'll see that Shabbir Ahmed's and Umar Gul's performances were very good [in earlier series when Shoaib was unavailable]. Even here the boys have performed well. The team is stronger for it.
People keep saying that Shoaib has not come, but if you look back you'll see that Shabbir Ahmed's and Umar Gul's performances were very good [in earlier series when Shoaib was unavailable]. Even here the boys have performed well. The team is stronger for it.
The role that [Bob] Woolmer played in Pakistan's revival
Woolmer plays a big role. He talks to the guys, practises with the guys, gives them moral support.
Woolmer plays a big role. He talks to the guys, practises with the guys, gives them moral support.
Rahul Bhatia is on the staff of Cricinfo.