कराची : श्रीलंका के अबूझ स्पिनर अजंता मेंडिस के सामने एशिया कप क्रिकेट टूर्नामेंट के फाइनल में पस्त हुई भारतीय टीम के जेहन में अभी भी इस जादुई स्पिनर का खौफ इस कदर छाया है कि भारत की वन डे टीम के कप्तान महेंद्र सिंह धोनी ने आगामी श्रीलंका दौरे में इस अद्भुत स्पिनर की काट ढूंढने की बात तक कह डाली है। एशिया कप के फाइनल में रविवार को 13 रन देकर छह विकेट लेकर मेंडिस ने भारत के एशियाई चैंपियन बनने का ख्वाब चकनाचूर कर दिया था। मेंडिस की घूमती गेंदों के सामने भारतीय बल्लेबाज 'ता थैया ता थैया' करते नजर आए।
फाइनल में हार के बाद धोनी ने माना कि उनके बल्लेबाजों ने श्रीलंका स्पिनर अजंता मेंडिस की गेंदों को समझने में भूल की और घातक गलतियां करते हुए अपने विकेट गंवाए। धोनी ने फाइनल मैच के बाद कहा, 'हमारे बल्लेबाज मेंडिस की गेंदों को बिल्कुल भी नहीं समझ सके। मेंडिस ने निस्संदेह शानदार गेंदबाजी की, लेकिन स्पिन खेलने के अनुभवी हमारे बल्लेबाजों को उन्हें सतर्कता के साथ खेलना चाहिए था। मगर वे ऐसा करने में नाकाम रहे और यही हमारी हार का सबसे बड़ा कारण रहा। भारतीय टीम श्रीलंका दौरे में इस अबूझ स्पिनर की काट ढूंढने में लग गई है।'
धोनी ने कहा, 'मेंडिस अबूझ गेंदबाज बन गए हैं। हमें श्रीलंका दौरे में उनका तोड़ ढूंढना होगा। हमारे लिए राहत की बात यही है कि श्रीलंका दौरे में हमें पहले टेस्ट मैच खेलना है और टेस्ट टीम में हमारे पास काफी अनुभवी बल्लेबाज हैं। मेंडिस ऐसे गेंदबाज हैं, जो बल्लेबाजों को असहाय कर देते हैं। टीम इंडिया श्रीलंका दौरे से पहले मेंडिस की गेंदबाजी की वीडियो फुटेज देखेगी, ताकि उनके गेंदबाजी एक्शन को समझा जा सके। फाइनल में हमारे बल्लेबाज मेंडिस की गेंदों को समझने में भूल कर बैठे। जब कभी वह गेंद को फ्लाइट देते तो वह गुगली होती थीं या ऑफ स्पिनर। लेकिन जब वह फ्लैट गेंद डालते थे, तो वह लेग स्पिन होती थी। बड़ी अबूझ गेंदें थी वे।'
भारत को कोलंबो में 23 जुलाई से तीन टेस्ट मैचों की सीरीज खेलनी है। पहला टेस्ट कोलंबो में खेला जाएगा। टेस्ट सीरीज के बाद पांच वन डे मैचों की सीरीज खेली जाएगी। भारत टेस्ट सीरीज के लिए बुधवार को टीम की घोषणा होगी और इस टीम में सचिन तेंडुलकर, सौरभ गांगुली, राहुल दविड़ और वी. वी. एस. लक्ष्मण जैसे अनुभवी खिलाडि़यों के होने से भारत को मेंडिस की काट खोजने में आसानी होगी। इन सबके बावजूद अनुभवी अनिल कुंबले की नेतृत्व वाली टीम इंडिया को मेंडिस की काट के लिए होमवर्क तो करना ही होगा।
Monday, July 7, 2008
Issue of taking rest would be known in a few days: Dhoni
MUMBAI: India's ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was non-committal about reports that he may skip the Test series against Sri Lanka later this month to take some much-needed break, saying the situation would be clear in a couple of days.
"In India and the subcontinent we have a full year of cricket and there's no off-season. It's tough for cricketers. When we want rest we should get it," India's limited overs captain said on Monday.
"BCCI has said that we can take rest whenever we want which I think is a very good policy," he said.
When asked whether he intended to take a break by opting out of the three-Test series in sri Lanka he said, "You will come to know that in a couple of days' time"
Dhoni insisted that he was fully fit during the Asia Cup that concluded in Karachi on Sunday.
"Since last series there's been no problem (on the fitness front). I have no (fitness) problem presently as well," said the swashbuckling wicket keeper batsman.
Dhoni did not read too much into the Indian team's losses in the two finals that it had contested recently, against Pakistan in the tri-series tournament in Dhaka and against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
"Winning or losing can happen, but it's important to put in your best at all tinmes. If you still lose then there's little you can do about it," he said.
Defending the ODI team's inconsistent display, the Ranchi-born Dhoni said the team was short on international experience at the moment but would improve with time.
Looking ahead to the series against Sri Lanka in the Emerald Isle, Dhoni said he expected a tough battle between the two teams while adding that the return of experienced campaigners, Test captain Anil Kumble and off spinner Harbhajan Singh would prop up the attack.
"Sri Lanka is a tough place to play but we will be prepared and we hope to do well. We will have Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh returning which will be a big boost," he said.
India are to start the full tour of Lanka with a Test series which will be followed by five ODIs against the hosts.
Asked about celebrating his birthday away from his family he said, "I miss my family, but as a professional cricketer it's not always possible to spend birthdays with the family. I have not been there (Ranchi) for a long time and am looking forward to spend some time there over the next few days," Dhoni said.
He was also full of praise for Sachin Tendulkar's contribution to the team's efforts when asked about his own brand value for endorsements which currently rivals that of the champion batsman's.
"I cherish the time I have spent with him. He's a great player who's shared his experience with us and guided the whole team throughout."
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3207870.cms
"In India and the subcontinent we have a full year of cricket and there's no off-season. It's tough for cricketers. When we want rest we should get it," India's limited overs captain said on Monday.
"BCCI has said that we can take rest whenever we want which I think is a very good policy," he said.
When asked whether he intended to take a break by opting out of the three-Test series in sri Lanka he said, "You will come to know that in a couple of days' time"
Dhoni insisted that he was fully fit during the Asia Cup that concluded in Karachi on Sunday.
"Since last series there's been no problem (on the fitness front). I have no (fitness) problem presently as well," said the swashbuckling wicket keeper batsman.
Dhoni did not read too much into the Indian team's losses in the two finals that it had contested recently, against Pakistan in the tri-series tournament in Dhaka and against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup.
"Winning or losing can happen, but it's important to put in your best at all tinmes. If you still lose then there's little you can do about it," he said.
Defending the ODI team's inconsistent display, the Ranchi-born Dhoni said the team was short on international experience at the moment but would improve with time.
Looking ahead to the series against Sri Lanka in the Emerald Isle, Dhoni said he expected a tough battle between the two teams while adding that the return of experienced campaigners, Test captain Anil Kumble and off spinner Harbhajan Singh would prop up the attack.
"Sri Lanka is a tough place to play but we will be prepared and we hope to do well. We will have Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh returning which will be a big boost," he said.
India are to start the full tour of Lanka with a Test series which will be followed by five ODIs against the hosts.
Asked about celebrating his birthday away from his family he said, "I miss my family, but as a professional cricketer it's not always possible to spend birthdays with the family. I have not been there (Ranchi) for a long time and am looking forward to spend some time there over the next few days," Dhoni said.
He was also full of praise for Sachin Tendulkar's contribution to the team's efforts when asked about his own brand value for endorsements which currently rivals that of the champion batsman's.
"I cherish the time I have spent with him. He's a great player who's shared his experience with us and guided the whole team throughout."
Source: http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3207870.cms
Dhoni wary of Mendis threat for Sri Lanka tour
KARACHI (Reuters) - India's limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes Sri Lanka's new bowling weapon, unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis, will provide the sternest of tests for his side on their impending tour of the island.
Playing in just his eighth international, Mendis used a dizzying array of deliveries to rip through the Indian batting order with figures of 6-13 as Sri Lanka eased to a 100-run victory in the Asia Cup final in Pakistan on Sunday.
The 23-year-old was recognised as the man of the tournament for his 17-wicket contribution and his impact was highlighted by India's explosive wicketkeeper-batsman.
"He is a difficult bowler and we will have to prepare ourselves for him in the coming series," Dhoni said after the final.
"The good thing is that we will be playing the test matches first and we have experienced batsmen in the test side," he added.
"The burden of scoring off him quickly will not be there and we will get time to get used to him."
India open a three-match tour of Sri Lanka with the first test in Colombo on July 23 before embarking on a five-match one-day international series.
Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-34404420080707
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
