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MS Dhoni: Ajinkya Rahane will either bat in top 3 or not play at all

MS Dhoni also confirmed that Gurkeerat Singh will not play the first ODI against South Africa.

MS Dhoni says that India might play three spinners in 1st ODI against South Africa © Getty Images
MS Dhoni says that India might play three spinners in 1st ODI against South Africa © Getty Images

India prepare to take on South Africa in the first One-Day International (ODI) at Green Park, Kanpur on Sunday. Talking about the batting order MS Dhoni believes that Ajinkya Rahane will bat in to top three, else he will not feature in the playing XI at all. “I think Rahane, 4 is the number. To a certain extent, 4 is low for him. I’ve always said that he should bat more up the order. Opening is a slot that fits him really well. So, it’s slightly different for us. If you look at people, who bats in First-Class, like Rohit bats at No.4, but here he opens for us. If you look at history a lot of individuals, who have done that.  Openers more often than not are players who play in middle-order in First-Class cricket,” said Dhoni Live Cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa 2015, 1st ODI at Kanpur

“It is difficult for him as of now, especially if I’m looking for someone to bat at 5, 6 or 7, I don’t think he is the person. His strength is more top of the order. So, if given a chance we will try to feature him in top 3. But if not, he will find it difficult to feature,” he added

Dhoni went on, “If you look at the last few series that we have played, we felt Rahane is someone who should bat more up the order. Batting down, especially 5,6 and 7, he will face difficulties. He is more flamboyant or free when he bats up the order with a bit of field restrictions and once he gets off to a good start, he can capitalise in the middle overs also.”

Talking about the wicket at Green Park, Dhoni said, “They’ve watered a bit; it’s still soft because it’s hot over here. So, we’ll have to see before the start of the game how exactly it looks because as of now the wicket will change before the game starts. READ: India vs South Africa 2015, 1st ODI at Kanpur, Preview: Under-fire hosts seek positive start

Dhoni also expressed that India needs someone, who can chip in with some runs lower-down the order and also pick up a few crucial wickets. “We are looking for somebody, who can bat down the order and at the same time death bowling is something that is very crucial. The bowlers will get a bit of respite because of the new rules because they have one extra fielder outside, which means they will bowl like a T20 game after the 40th over with the extra fielder outside. To some extent that will help them out,” Dhoni said

“Overall, it is very difficult to look for solutions, you also have to look for the series. So, we’ll always try to feature the best XI, depending on the conditions that’s most suitable to win us the game. Looking at the venues and the timings of the game, we’ll  be pushed to make a few changes as that series progresses as the conditions will change quite drastically compared to the furst game we play over here,” said the Indian skipper.

Dhoni also believes that India cannot decide on the No.6 and no.7 slots based on the T20 performances. If you are talking about No.6 or No.7 slots, you can’t really pick one based on T20I performances because you don’t get to play the way you are supposed to play in an ODI. Even if they would have got a chance to bat, it would have been difficult for us to pick one out of the three [Himself, Raina, Rayudu], who would have batted at that number,” Dhoni asserted. READ: India vs South Africa ODI series 2015: Russell Domingo warns Proteas ahead of five-match series

“If you look at the last few series that we have played, we felt Rahane is someone who should bat more up the order. Batting down, especially 5,6 and 7, he will face difficulties. He is more flamboyant or free when he bats up the order with a bit of field restrictions and once he gets off to a good start, he can capitalise in the middle overs also,” he added.

Asked about  the value of Umesh Yadav to the side, Dhoni said,”What’s importance is consistency. We have emphasised a lot on pace. But what’s crucial is to exploit the conditions. If the wicket on the slower side, you want to be consistent with your line and length and if you have pace with you, then you can make a huge difference.”

“Umesh is somebody, who can bowl quick for us. Over the years, he has given very good performances and at the same time he has a few on and off days. Hopefully, with a bit more games and a bit more exposure [also he has played a few games now, First-Class games]. When he bowls well, he bowls really well. We have to keep him in that spectrum so that he is an asset for the side,” he added. READ: India vs South Africa 2015, 1st ODI: Security beefed up at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur ahead of clash

The Indian skipper was hopeful that he could play three spinners at Green Park for the first ODI. “This is one venue we can [go in with three spinners] As I said, we’ll have a look at the wicket, how dry it is and what are the chances of it breaking up and assisting the spinners. Dew will not have an impact on this game. So, three-spinner option is also available to us. It is a bit of an early start. We have to keep that n mind. It is one venue where we can go in with three spinners. We’ll decide tomorrow,” said Dhoni.

Gurkeerat Singh, who was called up for the very first time into the Indian squad will not be playing in the first ODI against South Africa, but Dhoni insists that it is good to have him in the side. “Right now he won’t get a chance, straight off in the first game. He is definitely who is good, who can play the big shots and can contribute with his off-spin bowling. It is good to have people, who are multi-talented. People like Raina, who can bat, a good fielder and can bowl, when the team needs them. If someone is having off days, these are the players, who can contribute bowling two-three overs and we have seen that it can have a big impact on the team. It is good to have him on the side, he’ll have to wait for his opportunity,” Dhoni said

Dhoni also had words for praise for his opponents and believes that the Indian Premier League (IPL) experience will certainly help the Proteas in getting acclimitise to the conditions. READ: India vs South Africa 2015: Teams arrive in Kanpur for 1st ODI

“They are a very good side. It depends on the kind of composition and the kind of balance they have in their side. They have a quite a few of them, who can bat and bowl. After Jacques Kallis retired they too have had the problem of finding a perfect all-rounder. Still, they have found players, who can bat and bowl. That helps them out. Overall, what we have seen is they are one side, who have done well irrespective of where they are playing, whether in subcontinent or when they tour abroad to some of the other nations. They are a very good side. Lot of them play in the IPL, they are used to the conditions. They adapt also very well, which is key in international cricket, Dhoni said.

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