Difficult to Bring in Mohammed Shami in Place of Ashish Nehra or Jasprit Bumrah, Says Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Even if Mohammed Shami is declared fit for the ICC World Cup T20 2016, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that it will be difficult for the Bengal speedster to either replace Jasprit Bumrah or Ashish Nehra in the playing as the team presently looks "very balanced".

"We still don't know whether Shami will be fit or not. He still has a bit of time and he was picked because of his potential. He is someone who can bowl with new and old ball with yorkers being his strength. But it will be difficult to replace Bumrah as he has contributed very well with the new ball," Dhoni said at the post-match press conference after winning the Asia Cup T20 title on Sunday.

"Hardik Pandya is a seaming all-rounder. If Jadeja or him (Hardik) can bat No. 8 and they can give me three or four overs, then it looks like a better balanced side. Shami can only come in Ashish's slot but he would be very tough to replace. The reason being he's done very well for us, he's moved the ball around."

But Dhoni feels that Shami will have to prove his fitness first in the two warm-up games.

"But again Shami has a bit of time. He will have to prove his fitness in the warm-up games. If he does, he will stay ahead with the team. If he's unfit or he's not able to deliver the way he has to then he will have to make way for somebody else," he said.

He praised Shikhar Dhawan for pacing his innings well.

"It was well-paced innings although he got stuck in between. But it didn't matter as it was best batting wicket in the tournament. Our bowlers did a good job to restrict them to 120. We had firepower to get those runs," Dhoni said.

He agreed that winning 10 out of 11 games will give them confidence ahead of the ICC World T20.

"Again I have said, you may be strong but how well you are playing at that point in time is what matters. This team is suitable for all conditions but only in T20 format where they can win nine out of 10 games. But it won't happen like that in 50 overs as these 15 players suit the nature and demands of this format. Again when we play 50 overs, we will have to do brainstorming," the Indian skipper said.

'Spinner to play major role'

Dhoni is also hopeful that spinners will have a special role to play in the coming World Cup.

"More often than not, they have restricted oppositions. Spinners are useful in all formats as it is not easy to play big shots against them. If they get assistance, they can exploit. The quality of spinners also matters. They varied their pace and they will have major role to play in the World Cup," he said.

Dhoni takes a dig at critics

Exactly eight months after his cricketing epitaph was written by all and sundry following a series loss to Bangladesh, Dhoni took a jibe at his detractors saying that "Freedom of Expression" in India is used liberally by people when it comes to having an opinion on cricket.

"I believe, in India, everyone has an opinion on issues and especially on cricket. There is freedom of expression and everyone is entitled to an opinion. Play like this, play like that, do like this, do like that. The problem is cricket looks a bit easier on television than when we play it at the ground," Dhoni said.

"Well there will be a lot of criticism. If anyone asks me that what would you have liked to do, I would have said: 'Playing cricket for India will be my first choice. I will never play for any other country'."

But he also said that an individual should take a middle path when he is cornered, something which enables him to maintain a fine balance.

"Best for an individual is to take the middle part. Don't get too bogged down by criticism and also don't take yourself too seriously when you are praised. The media also balances it. If they take you up they will also bring you down. If you are up on a parachute, you can delay your coming down, but eventually you will come down. And then they will again throw you up."

Dhoni praises Bangladesh

The Bangladeshi crowd and the media have been very hostile to the Indian cricket team in the recent past after their World Cup quarter-final loss.

"It would be putting a lot at stake, when you win nothing really. It's like when you lose to Bangladesh, people would say like 'You lost to Bangladesh' and if you win they would say 'It's okay, you are supposed to win'. It's just that there is a lot at stake but when you win you don't take anything home," Dhoni in his own inimitable manner put across a point in-front of the Bangladeshi media.

But knowing fully well how he can be misunderstood in this part of the world, Dhoni did his own 'balancing act' praising the opposition.

"But things have changed. It's not a Bangladesh team of 2004. They have a fantastic squad, they have improved a lot and that's showing in their performance."

He agreed that any defeat hurts but staying in present is paramount.