BANGALORE, (Reuters) – Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will want his men to polish up their sloppy fielding if they are to stop Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien from turning on his pyrotechnics today.
O’Brien blazed to the fastest ever World Cup century, off just 50 balls, to lead Ireland to a shock upset over England earlier this week.
Dhoni noted that O’Brien (113 in 63 balls) finally fell when he was out attempting a sharp run — and the Indian skipper is keen to make sure the master blaster is not allowed to run amok in their Group B showdown today.
“He (O’Brien) got run out and we will try to get him run out this game also,” a grinning Dhoni told reporters today.
But jokes apart, Dhoni knows India will have to do much better in the field if they are to have any realistic chance of living up to their favourite billing in the tournament.
While India’s batting line-up has lived up to its reputation as one of the best in world cricket, their slapdash approach to fielding means they have dropped catches, missed run-out opportunities and given away at least 15-20 runs per innings with their mis-fields.
But rather than dwelling on his team’s shortcomings, Dhoni wanted to hail the Irishman’s ‘unbelievable’ innings against England.
“He batted really well right from the very start he went after the bowlers and it was impressive to see him change gears at the end because that was what was needed at the point of time,” he said.
Ireland’s shock win over England on Wednesday was almost a wake-up call to the stronger sides and Dhoni said his team’s loss to Bangladesh in 2007 had taught him an important lesson.
“I never said there’s any weaker side in the World Cup because if you have very memories of getting beaten by Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup then you know you won’t really commit that mistake,” Dhoni said.
“In every team there are individuals who can play big innings, score at the amazing strike rate of 150 or 200 and that can really change the course of the game.”
Dhoni said he had a full squad of 15 to pick from for today’s game but were as yet undecided if they would play three pace bowlers and the lone spinner or go with two of each.
“We have done the servicing and overhauling of all the cars for the race and if at night there is no electrical failure then everybody will be available and we will pick the best 11 cars,” he said.
