Dejected over the final Twenty20 International against South Africa being called off due to rain at the Eden Gardens, Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni said he was not expecting favourable pitches but insisted on making most of the home conditions during the ODI series against the Proteas beginning Sunday, citing dew as a major factor.
Asked if he was expecting favourable pitches, Dhoni replied: “Not really, we will like to play on surfaces that is generally provided to us but at the same time we want to make the most of the home series.
“We don’t want a lot of grass because with the dew around and grass on the wicket, it will be very difficult for the spinners to be effective.
“We will have to keep that in mind. More often than not, we get good wickets in ODIs and what we have seen is it becomes a war of the batsmen where the side which bowls better wins the game,” said the skipper at post-match ceremony here on Thursday.
Humbled 2-0 nil in the three-match T20 international series, Dhoni hoped for better performance in the five-match ODI and pointed out to dew being a major factor.
“It (ODI series) will be good, and lot will depend on the venues, the kind of wickets and toss will be crucial in certain venues – Kanpur will be one of them.
“Dew is also going to be factor once you play in India after September. There are venues here where you get lot of dew and it does influence your game plan,” said the wicketkeeper-batsman.
About the washed-out game at the Eden, Dhoni rued losing out the opportunity of trying out new team composition.
“We wanted to make changes in the side. In fact we were supposed to make three changes, change a bit the batting order and try out different stuff. But it is sad that we did not get to play,” he said.
Talking about the changes, Dhoni said Ajinkya Rahane was supposed to open the innings with leggie Amit Mishra and all-rounder Stuart Binny slated to be part of the playing eleven.
“This is one venue where you want come in and play you don’t want to come here and not play matches, the history of the ground and also the public here is fantastic. It is sad and bit disappointing not to play over here,” he added.
(IANS)