Difficult to give chances in the Indian team: MS Dhoni

India’s limited overs skipper MS Dhoni is geared up for the ODI series against New Zealand. The focus is on the current series. But the skipper in looking at the bigger picture. He sees this series as a platform builder for the Champions Trophy 2017. India have only 8 ODIs to be played before playing the Champions Trophy next year. In such a backdrop, the Indian captain reiterates that it is tough to give chances and form a perfect combination before the coveted event commences.

Speaking at a media conference ahead of the first ODI, Dhoni also spoke on the role of the finishers. He rightly quoted that the finishers could be many. But very few can provide longevity when it comes to consistency in the role. He pointed out the finishing role as the most challenging role in the game. He expressed that if a good finisher is found, he can be in the slot for about 8-10 years.

“You talked about Jos Buttler and Glenn Maxwell. You have to see consistent performances,” MS Dhoni said. “It (finishing) is one of the most difficult things to do in cricket. It’s not about six months or one year. You have to be used to that role and responsibility, and you have to have that self confidence to keep on doing what is required of you, usually over a period. Once you find a good finisher, they are the ones that will keep batting at that slot for 8-10 years,” he added.

He further added that in the subcontinent conditions, the lower order hardly gets to bat. The wickets are belter beauties for the batsman. He gave his definition of where a finisher should be batting. “I think one of the biggest challenge is that the cricket that we play in the subcontinent, more often than not, a finisher is someone who bats at 5, 6 7, to some extent, maybe No. 4. A lot of times in India, the lower order doesn’t get a chance to bat,” remarked Dhoni.

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MS Dhoni cited that when a senior player retires, it becomes for a youngster to fill the void. However, he said that youngster must grab the opportunities in crisis situations and then establish their position in the team. He quoted that such are the opportunities that are the bigger ones for the youngsters.

“It becomes more and more difficult for a youngster to come in and fill in that place. The reason being he may not get an opportunity, but you start counting opportunities – say if we are four or five down for 40 runs, it’ll be counted as a big opportunity by you. In 15-20 games, youngster gets an opportunity like that and you expect the youngster to do well, score a 100-150; you say – That was a perfect opportunity in front of you.”

Speaking on the several players Team India has tried in the ODI format in the recent times, Dhoni pointed that the team is keen on testing a few players. They have fielded 31 players since the World Cup last year. Dhoni pointed that most of them have been on tour to Zimbabwe where youngsters get an opportunity. “Quite a few of them would have gone to Zimbabwe. All of a sudden, 14 or 15 were there and then a few injuries here and there… It’s not a realistic number but at the same time, there are a few individuals who we are very keen to see what they have on offer,” said MS Dhoni.

The Indian skipper emphasized on the fact that it is actually very difficult to give chances in the national set up. The sole reason being the amount of pressure that the team has to win matches. He added that despite this, the management tries their best to give opportunities to the players as and when deemed appropriate. He is keen on setting the combination right with just 8 ODIs in hand before the ICC event kicks off next year.

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“With the Indian team, it’s difficult to give chances, let’s be fair about it, because we have to win games while also looking at the process. So we try our best to do what is in favour of the result and the team at the same time. Now there’s slightly more pressure because we only have eight games. This is a season when we’ll play a lot of Test matches. It’s a different challenge, but we’re open [to experimenting] and we’ll use games in the best possible manner,” conceded the Indian skipper.