India's ODI team can win anywhere now: Shikhar Dhawan

Agencies
February 7, 2018

Cape Town, Feb 7: Opener Shikhar Dhawan believes the Indian ODI team now has the right balance and the X-factor to succeed anywhere, holding the number one side in good stead ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England.

"We have a lot of experience. For instance, this is my second tour to South Africa, so I was better equipped for this tour, mentally and skill-wise. That plays a big role," said Dhawan ahead of the third ODI against South Africa on Wednesday.

"The good thing is there's experience and youth, but the younger players are also playing like they have had a lot of experience. That is a big strength of ours."

And Hardik Pandya gives the team the extra edge.

"With an allrounder coming in, the balance overseas is set. We have the option of not introducing spinners early, depending on the situation. So we have a lot of flexibility. If the game goes a certain way, we know that we can bring on spinners later than normal, and Hardik can bowl at that time. That is certainly an x-factor," he added.

India, who have a poor ODI record in South Africa, are set for improvement after being 2-0 up in the six-match series.

South Africa have struggled against the wrist spinners and injury to key players like Ab de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock has compounded their woes.

However, Dhawan promised that India will not take their foot off the pedal.

"I don't think we guys are going to get complacent. It's a big series for us. And, of course, South Africa played very well in the Test series. So we'd like to go as hard as possible and try to win whatever games come our way."

Besides the injuries costing them, South Africa have been blown away by wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. The duo shared 13 wickets between them in the first two ODIs.

"It is difficult to play wrist-spinners because they can turn the ball on flat tracks also. And when the ball starts turning, the overseas players especially aren't very used to it. That can create doubts in batsmen's minds, which is why they are effective.

"If I speak of Kuldeep and Chahal, I personally find Kuldeep harder to read, and easier to read the leg spinners. There are many who can't read the leg spinner's googly, so Chahal's googly will surely fool batsmen. But speaking for myself only, I find Kuldeep tougher to read," said Dhawan.

The opener added that South Africa have not scored enough runs in the series and that the opposition now has a mental fear of wrist spin. So much so, the Proteas had quite a few local leg spinners in their nets on Tuesday ahead of the third ODI.

"I won't say it's a lack of patience. You're playing one-day cricket so you have to score some runs. If you defend 50 balls and don't score, then that's of no use. They are losing a lot of wickets in the middle, which is why they can't get to the targets they are trying to make," said the opener.

"If you have some confusion or doubt in your mind, its first effect is on your thinking. No matter who the batsman, and then it shows in your batting. If they can't read our spinners, then of course they'll be more cautious while playing them. We do get an advantage from that."

Dhawan played the first Test here at Cape Town but didn't feature at Centurion or Johannesburg. Since then, he has made a fine return to the ODI side with scores of 35 and 51 not out.

He had looked good in Durban before being run-out in a mix-up with Virat Kohli.

"My form was going good. Even when I wasn't playing, I was batting like this. The only thing is when I was not playing I worked harder, made myself fitter as I had time on my hands. I knew what I needed to work on and what challenges I could face here, what their bowlers will do against me to get me out. I'm just enjoying my process," said Dhawan.

India are set to retain the same playing eleven in the third ODI, with Rohit Sharma's form the only cause for concern. The three-time ODI double centurion averages only 13.44 in 10 ODIs on South African soil.

"I feel Rohit is playing amazingly. The way he's timing the ball has been amazing. Even in the last match, he was playing very well, but unfortunately he got out. I don't see any concerns with his batting.

"The key for our success is we are not losing wickets on top. Of course the South African fast bowling is very strong, but we are playing them nicely. And once we cross the first 10 overs, the ball gets a bit older and we dominate more after that," he added.

The Newlands pitch for this third ODI didn't appear to be as dry as the ones at Durban and Centurion. It looked a typical South African batting wicket with plenty of bounce. The outfield though looked lush green, never mind the on-going drought situation.

"We all know that there is a drought here and we respect that. We are aware that we have to save as much water as we can, because people need it. We respect that," Dhawan said, talking about the water restrictions faced by the Indian team during their stay in Cape Town.

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News Network
January 30,2020

Hamilton, Jan 30: Caught unaware about the Super Over scenario, Rohit Sharma took five minutes to “find” his abdomen guard after the third T20 International against New Zealand had ended in a tie on Wednesday.

The India vice-captain said the team had almost given up with New Zealand going great guns at one point.

“Everything was packed. All my stuff was inside my bag. I had to get it out. It literally took me five minutes to find my abdomen guard because I didn’t know where it was,” Rohit said.

“I mean we never thought it would go to the Super Over, the way they were batting at one point. It looked like they could easily win the game,” he added.

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News Network
June 13,2020

Islamabad, Jun 13: Pakistan cricket team’s former captain Shahid Afridi, who has tested positive for coronavirus,  appears to have contracted the virus during his recent visit to Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) where Pakistan has been sending its corona positive patients.

The former Pakistan cricketer was seen attending gatherings in Muzaffarabad last month without wearing a mask and not maintaining social distancing. He spewed venom against India during his rallies. 

Afridi visited PoK to also express his solidarity with the people there who have been left to fend for themselves in combating COVID-19 as Pakistan has refused to provide any COVID fighting equipment like PPE kits and ventilators to the area’s handful of hospitals. 

In fact, Pakistan has been using the PoK as a “dumping ground” for COVID-19 affected persons from all across the country as authorities want to keep Punjab province free of corona positive persons. 

The locals held massive protests against Pakistan for setting up quarantine centres and shifting patients from parts of Pakistan to PoK. 

People are immensely suffering in Pakistan occupied Kashmir due to spread of coronavirus as the region lacks proper medical facilities and has a handful of COVID-19 testing labs. There is also lack of expert medical staff to conduct COVID-19 tests. 

A large number of people here are presumed asymptomatic and they are fast spreading the virus because of lack of medical care. 

Pakistan has reported over 1,25,000 coronavirus cases and 2,463 casualties. In Pakistan occupied Kashmir, the COVID-19 cases have increased to 534, whereas in Gilgit-Baltistan 1,030 have been  reported. 

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Agencies
June 23,2020

Islamabad, Jun 23: Seven more Pakistan cricketers, including Muhammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz, selected for the tour of England have tested positive for COVID-19, taking the total to 10, the PCB revealed on Tuesday.

The seven who tested positive on Tuesday are Kashif Bhatti, Muhammad Hasnain, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Rizwan, Imran Khan, Hafeez and Riaz. Shadab Khan, Haider Ali and Haris Rauf had returned positive tests on Monday.

“It is not a great situation to be in and what it shows is these are 10 fit and young athletes...if it can happen to players it can happen to anyone,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO, Wasim Khan told a media conference.

He said a support staff member, masseur Malang Ali, had also tested positive for COVID-19.

Khan said that the players and officials would now assemble in Lahore and another round of tests would be carried out on June 25 and a revised squad would be announced the next day.

The squad has to leave on June 28 for the series scheduled to be held next month, he said.

“It is a matter of concern but we shouldn’t panic at this time as we have time on our hands,” Khan said.

He said the players and officials would be retested on reaching England.

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