MS Dhoni acknowledged that the extended break was very helpful for his side © AFP
Hambantota: Jul 20, 2012
India captain MS Dhoni said adapting quickly to the conditions would be key to his team's success in the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Friday.
A rejuvenated India start their new season with the first ODI of the five-match series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, a ground where the visitors will make their debut.
"It's a new venue. Conditions change in the afternoon, it's quite windy out here. The strong winds can be a factor.
Not only the bowlers, but the batsmen and the fielders also need to get used to the conditions," Dhoni said at the pre-match press conference.
"This is a big field. So, the fielders will have to see that batsmen do not make twos into threes which is quite normal in a one-day game.
"It's good we are practising under lights today, so we will get to know what to expect in the second innings," he added.
Dhoni acknowledged that the extended break was very helpful for his side.
The India skipper also hinted that all-rounder Irfan Pathan might get a game, but said picking the playing eleven would be a difficult task.
"Irfan gives us the liberty of playing with five specialist bowlers. We can play two spinners and three seamers because he can also bat. We don't have a real part-timer like Yuvraj (Singh) or (Ravindra) Jadeja, who could have given us seven or eight overs between them," Dhoni said.
"We are playing a full 50 overs game after a long time.
So, we will have to be careful while selecting the playing eleven," Dhoni said.
Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene said he is looking forward to continue with the good work after the recent Test and ODI triumphs over Pakistan.
"We have just finished a series against Pakistan successfully. What is important now is to continue with the good work," he said.(PTI)
