Pakistan will bounce back, says Dravid
Two vice-captains, two in-form batsmen
Osman Samiuddin in Jamshedpur
08-Apr-2005
Two vice-captains, two in-form batsmen. Here's what Rahul Dravid and Younis Khan had to say about the upcoming one-day international at Jamshedpur:
Rahul Dravid
 |
|
We can't afford to be complacent. We are very aware of what happened in the test series. We dominated the first and second Tests, won the second and then lost at Bangalore. Pakistan is a very strong side and we are wary of them. There is a lot of respect for the Pakistan team, they will bounce back. There is no room for complacency if we want to win this series.
On the toss
It won't play that big a role. The wicket stays good throughout the match. If you score big while batting first then the chasing side is always under a lot of pressure. 300 has been chased successfully very few times. You need to keep wickets in hand at the end to do it and that is difficult when you have to maintain a high run-rate as well.
It won't play that big a role. The wicket stays good throughout the match. If you score big while batting first then the chasing side is always under a lot of pressure. 300 has been chased successfully very few times. You need to keep wickets in hand at the end to do it and that is difficult when you have to maintain a high run-rate as well.
On India's poor record at Jamshedpur
Every match is different, players and team situations are different. Past records don't matter and I don't check them but we won a good match here and those performances stay in the memory.
Every match is different, players and team situations are different. Past records don't matter and I don't check them but we won a good match here and those performances stay in the memory.
On the weather
The weather will be warm. But it just depends on how you adapt to it, how you conserve energy and so on. You have to be careful about it and drink enough fluids.
The weather will be warm. But it just depends on how you adapt to it, how you conserve energy and so on. You have to be careful about it and drink enough fluids.
On the team composition
It hasn't been decided yet who will replace [Lakshmipathy] Balaji. Dhoni performed brilliantly at No. 3 the other day and logic says that not too many changes should be made. Psychologically, he is in a good frame of mind and good form. Any player who performs in front of and behind the stumps is key. We are likely to stick with three pacers given the spin options we have in Sachin, Yuvraj and Sehwag. There aren't as many options with pace.
It hasn't been decided yet who will replace [Lakshmipathy] Balaji. Dhoni performed brilliantly at No. 3 the other day and logic says that not too many changes should be made. Psychologically, he is in a good frame of mind and good form. Any player who performs in front of and behind the stumps is key. We are likely to stick with three pacers given the spin options we have in Sachin, Yuvraj and Sehwag. There aren't as many options with pace.
On the pressure Ganguly's poor form puts on the other batsmen
In every match there is pressure. There isn't more pressure because Sourav isn't performing. The team support is there but I don't want to say anymore about that as enough has been said about it.
In every match there is pressure. There isn't more pressure because Sourav isn't performing. The team support is there but I don't want to say anymore about that as enough has been said about it.
On Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh's lack of runs
They are both in great form but you really have to look at the stage where they come in where there isn't too much time to do something. When you are judging players who bat lower down the order you can't judge them purely on statistics. In India there is an obsession with numbers. You have to consider that sometimes they come in with just a few balls or overs to play and they have to hit from the first ball so when you are considering players like them, you have to realize that seven out of ten times it is not going to work out. They do the most difficult job in the team and they do it selflessly.
They are both in great form but you really have to look at the stage where they come in where there isn't too much time to do something. When you are judging players who bat lower down the order you can't judge them purely on statistics. In India there is an obsession with numbers. You have to consider that sometimes they come in with just a few balls or overs to play and they have to hit from the first ball so when you are considering players like them, you have to realize that seven out of ten times it is not going to work out. They do the most difficult job in the team and they do it selflessly.
Younis Khan
|
|
|
ODI cricket is about who performs better on the day. It depends on how well you grasp the chances that come your way and you also need a little bit more luck.
On the team composition
The team has not been decided yet. I am fit but if I am playing even I don't know it. We're trying to find the right combination but if I am fit I hope to be the hope of my team.
The team has not been decided yet. I am fit but if I am playing even I don't know it. We're trying to find the right combination but if I am fit I hope to be the hope of my team.
On the series so far
The series needs a bit of life now. The crowd wants good tight contests, you know make it 2-2 and set up for an exciting final two matches.
The series needs a bit of life now. The crowd wants good tight contests, you know make it 2-2 and set up for an exciting final two matches.
On the pitch
ODI tracks are all batting tracks these days. Winning the toss and making a big score first up will be important and then the situation changes.
ODI tracks are all batting tracks these days. Winning the toss and making a big score first up will be important and then the situation changes.
On the pressure of this match
The pressure is there but we are used to it. We made a comeback in the test series andn we can do it here as well.
The pressure is there but we are used to it. We made a comeback in the test series andn we can do it here as well.
On Danish Kaneria in the final XI
If Danish plays, he will play a key role.
If Danish plays, he will play a key role.
On Mohamamd Sami's poor form
Actually the top-order Indian batsmen have been playing so well that it looks as if he isn't bowling well. A bit of luck is needed and if he takes four wickets in the next match, everybody will think he is a hero.
Actually the top-order Indian batsmen have been playing so well that it looks as if he isn't bowling well. A bit of luck is needed and if he takes four wickets in the next match, everybody will think he is a hero.
On tackling MS Dhoni
Dhoni might succeed or he might fail tomorrow but our main targets will be to get Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar out.
Dhoni might succeed or he might fail tomorrow but our main targets will be to get Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar out.
On Virender Sehwag
He is not the difference between the two sides but he is a very good player.
He is not the difference between the two sides but he is a very good player.
On his second successive pre-match press conference
I think they are grooming me (laughs).
I think they are grooming me (laughs).
Osman Samiuddin is a freelance journalist based in Karachi.