West Indies tour: Pacers have to adapt to wicket with more bounce, says Dhoni

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that for his fast bowlers length and line would be the key on a bouncy track at the Kensington Oval for the second Test against the West Indies starting on Tuesday.


Dhoni said the medium pacers have to adjust to the track to get more leg-before dismissals.


“It’s important that pacers adapt themselves for on a wicket with more bounce, they need to bowl fuller to get bowled and lbw dismissals. Length will be the absolute key,” said Dhoni.


The India captain had a close look at the pitch after a training session Sunday and said he would like to go in with three seamers and one spinner.


Leg-spinner Amit Mishra will be making way for Munaf Patel, who has recovered from his elbow injury. Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar will be the other two pacers while Harbhajan Singh will be the lone spinner.


Dhoni said that Ishant and Praveen will form the ideal combination on the bouncy track.


“Ishant has played a lot of Test matches and knows what to do to different batsmen. He is one of our main bowlers and forms an ideal combination with Praveen Kumar. They are different, for Praveen swings the ball while Ishant is a back-of-length bowler.”


Dhoni also lauded Harbhajan, four wickets away from entering the 400-wicket Test club, for his batting abilities.


“He is close to another landmark - 100 Test matches for India. He leads the spinners pack and has also done very well in batting. He is a good, aggressive character to have and when you need a breakthrough, you always find Bhajji there eager to provide one for the team,” said Dhoni.


Dhoni was happy that most of the time his players have responded well to pressure.


“I am fortunate to have such a good side. Irrespective of which format you are playing, you need 15 characters who respond to your strategy; know how to adapt themselves for the captain. I am very fortunate that players have always given their 100% to me. You can’t really win all the games. All you can do is to prepare well and do well on the field.”