India captain MS Dhoni termed the highly anticipated match against Pakistan as an ‘important’ game even though the result would only be of academic interest.
Ahead of the match, Dhoni said: “I think it's an important match. Doesn't matter which side you are really playing (against), the reason is all international sides are good enough, so no real point taking any added pressure.”
He emphasized on the importance of a good start. “Well, I think we are a side that relies quite a bit on a good start. It doesn't really mean that we always need a 100-run partnership. We need the openers need to spend some time in the middle, and that really comes from the dressing room. That has been the case whenever we have got off to a good start; more often than not we have been able to capitalize on that.”
In both the previous league encounters, the team were given excellent starts by Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Promoted to the top of the order, the elegant right-hand batsman has charmed his way back into the hearts of India supporters. Speaking about Rohit’s batting prowess and the move to send him out to open the innings, the Indian captain said, “Well, I think he's someone who can cut and pull the ball well, and that's what we have seen whenever we play a team that's not from the subcontinent; more often than not they are thinking that let's bowl short to the opener and then pitch it full, and if the opener cuts and pulls they don't really have a backup plan.”
“Rohit is someone who can do the job well for us, and also the fact that he's someone who is really talented, and that's the only space that we have got, where we all felt that with his talent he can really capitalize and be a good opener,” he added.
When asked about India’s strategy to counter Pakistan's bowling and whether their approach will be different from the last couple of matches, he said, “No, I think it's exactly the same because international sides, most of them have got good fast bowlers, but Pakistan have got good spinners as well. Ajmal and Hafeez have been doing really well in the bowling department. Overall they are a very good bowling side, so we are not looking to change anything. The approach needs to be the same, and we'll stick to the basics.”
Speaking about the rivalry and what it means to the supporters as well, he said, “Well, I think the India‑Pakistan game is always a big game, doesn't really matter where you are playing.”
