Mahendra Singh Dhoni Insists India Will Continue to Try Different Things Ahead of World Twenty20
Mahendra Singh Dhoni had promoted Hardik Pandya ahead of himself and Yuvraj Singh, besides giving Jaspreet Bumrah the ball only in the 16th over of the innings.
After a series-levelling win over Sri Lanka, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the team will continue to experiment in the lead up to the World Twenty20 to be held at home in March-April. (Ranchi Twenty20: Dhawan Powers India to Series-Levelling Win Over Sri Lanka)
"Experimenting is a word banned from Indian cricket, but yes we're trying different things. Our top order has done well, so we're trying to give everyone an opportunity whenever possible," Dhoni said when quizzed about experimentation in the games before the World T20.
Though India fielded an unchanged side, Dhoni sent Hardik Pandya in to bat ahead of himself and Yuvraj Singh besides giving Jaspreet Bumrah the ball only in the 16th over of the innings.
It was a dry wicket, much in contrast to the green deck in Pune. (Shikhar Dhawan Hits First-Ever Twenty20I Fifty To Shut up Critics)
"Almost 200 runs were scored, but there was something for everyone. Overall it was very good for us."
On his two stumpings and team's fielding, he added: "Most of our fielders are above average. Sometimes in T20s, even the slower ones can get away. But yes, fielding is very important.
"Being a bit unorthodox behind the stumps really helps, but credit to the bowlers for beating the batsman."
Shikhar Dhawan, who was man of the match after scoring his maiden Twenty20 International fifty, said: "Happy to have got my first T20I fifty. I was hitting the ball well. I like to play my natural game, I got a lot of support from the captain and the coaching staff. We didn't have any specific plan to hit 70 in the first six. Once I started connecting the ball well, it all came together."
Sri Lanka captain said his team needs to bowl better on a dry surface like what was used.
"Credit to the Indian batsmen. We tried hard as a bowling unit, but eventually gave away 25 extra runs. We need to regroup. On this kind of track, we needed to mix our yorkers and slower deliveries well. Hopefully our bowlers will learn quickly. We'll put our heart and soul into the next game," said Chandimal.