Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has made it clear that his side will be 'going flat out’ to maintain their domination at home, and win the upcoming Test series against England.
“The forthcoming series promises to be a cracker. We will be going flat out to maintain our dominance at home, while England will be looking to erase the memories of their recent travails in UAE. England have some quality players, and so have we,” Dhoni said.
India, who were thrashed by England last year 4-0, will be eyeing for revenge against the tourists who are known to be vulnerable against spin, but the Indian captain is not in the opinion that spinners will play a big role.
Dhoni wrote in his column for bcci.tv, “A lot of people have said a lot of things in the lead-up to the series, one of them being a theory of sorts that our spinners will be the difference between the two sides. I believe that is an unfair comment.”
“Make no mistake, the likes of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar are as capable of exploiting conducive conditions, as our spinners. The team that wins more sessions will win the series,” he wrote.
Dhoni admitted that India had a tough time in England in 2011.
“We had a tough time in England last year. We were plagued by injury issues, and we did not bat, bowl and field well enough. England were outstanding in all three departments, and they deserved to win the series,” he added.
Dhoni said the absence of star cricketer Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman cannot be fulfilled, but he urged young Indian cricketers to come good against a formidable opponent.
“The series will also provide some youngsters an opportunity to establish themselves in the national squad, after the recent retirements of two of our greatest cricketers. Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman are irreplaceable. I wish most of the youngsters, if not all, make these opportunities count,” he wrote.
“They have the talent, and it is now time to display it, against one of the best cricket teams in the world. There is no bigger high in cricket than success against a formidable opponent. Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, to name just two players, have proved that they belong to the highest level of the sport, and one hopes that others take a cue from them,” Dhoni expressed.
"We will be going into the series, fully aware that millions will be watching us and praying for our success. We have a lot to play for, and will do our best to make our supporters smile," the Indian captain concluded.
The first of the four-match Test series begins on November 15, at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad.
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