Dhoni looks forward to Test challenge
Dileep Premachandran meets up with Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Dileep Premachandran in Chennai
21-Nov-2005
These days, the myth goes before the man, stories of a childhood spent as a soccer goalkeeper and exaggerated yarns about four litres of milk being consumed a day. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, though, appears least affected by the media tornado he has unleashed in recent months with a string of powerful innings. Hennaed mullet partly hidden under the India cap, he sat down for a chat in front of the Chepauk Pavilion, with the inclement weather having prevented India's afternoon practice session.
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How important was it personally to follow up the 148 against Pakistan with an innings of real substance
It was very important. The 183 not out [Jaipur] was very satisfying because the conditions were so different. Against Pakistan, we had batted first, but in this case, we were chasing a very big total.
Did it give you extra satisfaction that three of your innings against Sri Lanka involved being there at the end of a run-chase, a familiar Achilles Heel of Indian sides in the past?
I'm just happy that I fulfilled the responsibility that was given to me by the team management. It doesn't matter whether it was batting first or chasing, I did what I was asked to do.
How have you adjusted to being shunted up and down the order?
It's been a new thing for me. I've batted at a lot of different slots in the past few games, as high as No.3 and as low as No.8. But I'm getting used to it now.
How have innings like the 148 and 183* affected your life, and added to the pressure?
There's always pressure to do well when you play for your country, but when I get to the middle, it all disappears. I never think of such things while batting.
Which bowler have you found the hardest to face since making your debut?
I think all international bowlers can test you. But Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Bond were certainly testing.
How hard do you work on fitness, given the double-role that you have to play?
We work very hard. It also depends on the preparation you do in off-season, and also the in-season training that we do with Greg King.
Do you feel your wicketkeeping has improved, and do you think you might get a chance in the Test team now?
I've worked very hard on improving my keeping, but that's a question you should ask the selectors. When I've been given a chance in ODIs, I have done well. Hopefully, I can do well if given a chance in Tests too.
Are there any areas of wicketkeeping that you have worked on specifically?
Mainly just footwork. I've been concentrating on that.
Is it difficult keeping to the likes of Harbhajan on Indian pitches?
Of course. Both Anil bhai [Kumble] and Harbhajan are a real challenge. But personally, I find keeping to Veeru [Sehwag] even more difficult. Don't ask me why! (smiles).
How do you account for the dramatic turnaround in India's fortunes since Zimbabwe?
That's a question that Greg Chappell, as coach, is best equipped to answer (laughs).
Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo