ndia skipper backs experienced team
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has dismissed concerns about the added pressure his side will be under in front of their own fans during the World Cup.
Dhoni, part of the side that crashed out in the first round of the global one-day showpiece four years ago, has since overseen India's rise to top spot in the Test rankings.
They are also second, behind world champions Australia, in the one-day rankings and are the bookmakers' World Cup favourites.
"I have been doing it for the last four-and-a-half, five years," said Dhoni, when asked about the extra responsibility on his own shoulders at the tournament.
"It (pressure) is an added responsibility. Whenever you play for India there is always pressure. But the good thing is that we have a very experienced team."
Unfortunate
Dhoni admits it is a blow to be without Praveen Kumar, who has been ruled out of the World Cup due to an elbow injury, paving the way for Sreesanth to come in.
"It is very unfortunate that Praveen had to miss the World Cup," added Dhoni.
"He featured consistently in the ODIs for us. He is a street-smart cricketer and we will miss him a lot."
India open their campaign against Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 19 but have fitness doubts surrounding a trio of top-order batsmen - Gautam Gambhir (elbow), Virender Sehwag (shoulder) and Sachin Tendulkar (hamstring).
"A few players are suffering from slight niggles, which is always there but nothing serious," said Dhoni.
"Hopefully, nothing major happens to any player."
Dhoni, part of the side that crashed out in the first round of the global one-day showpiece four years ago, has since overseen India's rise to top spot in the Test rankings.
They are also second, behind world champions Australia, in the one-day rankings and are the bookmakers' World Cup favourites.
"I have been doing it for the last four-and-a-half, five years," said Dhoni, when asked about the extra responsibility on his own shoulders at the tournament.
"It (pressure) is an added responsibility. Whenever you play for India there is always pressure. But the good thing is that we have a very experienced team."
Unfortunate
Dhoni admits it is a blow to be without Praveen Kumar, who has been ruled out of the World Cup due to an elbow injury, paving the way for Sreesanth to come in.
"It is very unfortunate that Praveen had to miss the World Cup," added Dhoni.
"He featured consistently in the ODIs for us. He is a street-smart cricketer and we will miss him a lot."
India open their campaign against Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 19 but have fitness doubts surrounding a trio of top-order batsmen - Gautam Gambhir (elbow), Virender Sehwag (shoulder) and Sachin Tendulkar (hamstring).
"A few players are suffering from slight niggles, which is always there but nothing serious," said Dhoni.
"Hopefully, nothing major happens to any player."
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