We are always a top contender for World T20: Dhoni
After thrashing Sri Lanka in the third T20, Indian skipper MS Dhoni exuded confidence over India’s chances in the World T20, which will be held in India. Dhoni put India as the favourites for the T20 trophy with the home advantage and the players' IPL experiences bound to help them in the tournament.
When asked about India’s chances at the 2016 ICC World T20 in March, in the post-match conference after India’s series win against Sri Lanka, the Indian skipper seemed confident of his team’s chances at the biennial event.
"We are always a top contender when it comes to the shorter format. Also, the World Cup being held in India, the spinners will come into action and that gives us added benefit and also the exposure of playing IPL over here. Out of eight seasons we have played seven here and all of that will count," Dhoni said, reported PTI.
Dhoni added that the team looks settled going into the World Cup even though the middle order and lower order batsmen are yet to have a good outing in the middle.
"Everybody has not got the chance to bat. But you will keep facing this problem because our batting line-up is deep. We will have to try and give batting to players, who have not batted so far but people who are batting close to 6, 7 or 8, they will have to play big shots because that is going to be very important for us.
"It's not how many runs you have scored at that time but may be if you are facing only 3-4 balls and you can get 10-15 runs, that will be a real benefit," the skipper said.
The Indian skipper also showered praise on Ashwin, who took a four-wicket haul in the final T20I, saying that the off-spinner’s ability with the new ball helps him in utilising the pacers in the middle overs.
"When it comes to giving him the new ball, he flights the ball and asks the batsman to step out and play the big shot. In this format it is crucial. At times, you tend to bowl flat but he is somebody who mixes it well. He gives us that liberty to use fast bowlers in the middle especially when we have just two fast bowlers," Dhoni signed off.