Bridgetown: With the business end of the World Twenty20 getting under way on Thursday, the focus is now wholly on the fancied teams and not the challengers or upstarts.
For Team India, the first Super Eight match, against Australia, is on Friday. If the mood at the idyllic Hilton here is an indication, then Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men aren’t taking too much pressure on themselves.
Just as well.
“I believe in staying calm and, in recent weeks, the IPL has taught me to stay calmer,” Dhoni told The Telegraph in a brief interaction.
Looking ahead, he said: “The tougher stage of the tournament has started... All eight teams are good... We will have to consistently play to potential and I’m confident that we will...”
Asked about Australia’s modest record in T20, Dhoni replied: “History doesn’t come into the picture... It’s all about how one plays over the 40 overs... I’ve already pointed out that all the teams in this stage are good.”
Captain when India won the inaugural World Twenty20, in September 2007, Dhoni has more than a fair idea of what it takes to succeed.
Both teams have made the cut — with even a Tiger Woods failing nowadays, it’s not exactly guaranteed — with an all-win record.
Australia, of course, beat Test nations Pakistan and Bangladesh, while India defeated big-stage debutants Afghanistan and South Africa.
Significantly, both teams have fitness-related worries. India’s Praveen Kumar has to go home; Mitchell Johnson is recovering from a sore elbow.
Praveen has emerged a key player in cricket’s shorter versions and his absence will be felt. According to a member of the team management, he suffered an “abdominal tear” in the match versus South Africa, on Sunday, and will take the long flights home in a couple of days.
“Injuries happen and, unfortunately, Praveen has become a casualty... I hope somebody will step up and do the job. That way, then, we won’t miss him,” Dhoni commented.
Praveen’s replacement is little-known Umesh Yadav, the Vidarbha quick, who turns out in the Delhi DareDevils colours in the IPL.
“Yadav has genuine pace, that’s the big reason why we’ve picked him,” one of the selectors maintained, when contacted back in India.
With vice-captain Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan fit, two changes (at least) will again be made — Dinesh Karthik going back to the dugout and Zaheer taking Praveen’s place.
Should the new-ball attack have to be bolstered, then Ranganath Vinay Kumar will make his debut. Otherwise, leggie Piyush Chawla is going to keep his place in the XI.
Yuvraj Singh, meanwhile, was to see a doctor as he has developed rashes in parts of his body. “Look, it’s nothing serious,” informed the member of the team management.
Match starts: 7 pm (IST).
