India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni refuses to take Australia lightly despite the tourists being weakened due to injuries. He believes the World champions still possess match-winners in their ranks.
"I don't think it is a weak side; this Australian team is a good side. They have good batsmen at the top, in the middle order they have Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey. They have got experienced players who can really make a difference at this level. I would not consider them weak in any aspect," he said, on the eve of the third ODI at the Ferozshah Kotla, in Delhi, on Friday.
India have a good opportunity to break their home jinx against Australia after pace spearhead Brett Lee was forced to return home following an elbow injury. All-rounder James Hopes is also ruled out of Saturday's match because of a hamstring injury. It gives the hosts their best chance to go 2-1 up and then proceed to win their first home series against the World champions in 22 years.
India is hoping they can carry on the momentum from their convincing 99-run victory in the second ODI in Nagpur. They were beaten by four runs in the first match at Vadodara but stormed back in style at Nagpur, courtesy captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's blazing 124 from 107 deliveries, to level the seven-match series at 1-1.
"We can say that we lost the first match because we didn't bat well or bowl well, but we took a lot of positives from that game. The way Praveen [Kumar] and Harbhajan [Singh] batted, the momentum swung towards us slightly, and then we performed well in that second match in the bowling, batting and fielding departments. We are paying more attention to the momentum that we have and hoping to capitalize on it," he said.
"Every game you have to start from scratch. So whatever people say about momentum or confidence, when you go out on the field, you have to do well and start from scratch. Everybody needs to do the same thing again and again. Whatever the plan is, you have to execute those plans again because at the international level you have seen individuals change their game because they feel something is lacking. In the very next game they come up with a different plan, so you have to keep changing your plan and have to be updated with everything," Dhoni added.
With the pitch expected to keep low and slow, and offer uneven bounce, the spinners are expected to play a major role in the match. Dhoni said the team is pondering whether to include a second specialist spinner in Amit Mishra to take advantage of the conditions.
"It is one thought that is on our mind, but at the same time we have Harbhajan Singh, Ravindra Jadeja is there; Yuvraj [Singh] and [Suresh] Raina can also bowl. We have a few part-timers who can bowl, so we will see what team combination is suitable and select the team accordingly," he said.
India's main worry though is the form of their main spinner, Harbhajan Singh, who has failed to live up to expectations in the last few matches.
Dhoni spent a lot of time with the off-spinner in the nets trying to help him get his line and length right. He made him bowl consistently outside the off-stump and asked him to concentrate on flight by having a glove placed at the spot where he wanted Harbhajan to land his deliveries.
"One thing for sure, he [Harbhajan] is not bowling at this best. The kind of individual he is, or player he is, he loves challenges. We are waiting, because it is just one game where he will bounce back and get us those wickets that we really need during those middle overs. We are not too much worried about these experienced guys who have spent enough time at the international level," said Dhoni.
He showered rich praise on left-am pacer Ashish Nehra, who has dished out consistent performances since making a comeback into the Indian team.
"He has been bowling well and his effort on the field has been good. Of course, everyone can't be among the best fielders, but till you are putting an effort to stop each and every ball that comes to you, that is important. It is good because he is bowling really well and gives us those important breakthroughs. He is bowling consistently well with the new ball. It is good to have him," added Dhoni.
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