Having won back-to-back IPL titles, there is a chance for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his 'Men in Yellow' to complete a hat-trick but 'Captain Cool' doesn't want to think too far ahead considering it's a 47-day tournament.
Published: Apr 03, 2012, 06:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 03, 2012, 06:34 PM (IST)
Defending champions Chennai Super Kings take on Mumbai Indians in IPL 2012 tournament opener on Wednesday © AFP
Chennai: Apr 3, 2012
Having won back-to-back IPL titles, there is a chance for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his ‘Men in Yellow’ to complete a hat-trick but ‘Captain Cool’ doesn’t want to think too far ahead considering it’s a 47-day tournament.
“We don’t think about result. It is a longish tournament close to 60 days. So targeting a result right from the start will be very difficult. Yes, there is pressure but a bit of it is always good. If one starts thinking too much about the result, the burden of expectation may not help a player perform upto his potential. So we are not thinking of the result. We will like to take one game at a time,” Dhoni said on the eve of the opening match against Mumbai Indians.
A lot has happened since Dhoni won the World Cup followed by the IPL but he has been more on the losing side rather than being on the winning side.
“It always adds a bit of pressure but without pressure, it is difficult to perform at the top level. In a sport, we often forget one team has to lose. We had a streak where we were on the winning side. In the last seven to eight months, mostly in Test matches, we have been on the losing side.
That’s a phase. But, it gives us opportunity to improve as cricketers and get to the next level.”
The 30-year-old said that words like “I, me or myself” doesn’t exist in a team sport where everyone takes responsibility in fulfilling a common goal.
“As far as being defending champions is concerned, we never take it as pressure but pride in our performance. We take pride in fulfilling our responsibilities and in the last four years we have gelled well as a team including the new additions and I thought that is our strength. People fulfill their roles and responsibilities. ” (PTI)
