Dhoni: World Cup cannot get any bigger than this

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the side's strength has been its spin bowling in the sub-continental conditions. Speaking to the media here on Friday, the Indian captain said it was important to pick sides according to the conditions and the situations.

On paceman Zaheer Khan's fitness, Dhoni revealed, “Zaheer looks fit as of now.” Queried about the inclusion of a second specialist spinner, he said, “That is definitely an option.”

Comparing the present side with the one, which went down to Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup, Dhoni said, “As far as ability is concerned there is not much difference. But this side is in a better frame of mind.”

Asked about expectations and pressure that accompany a World Cup, Dhoni answered, “I think we can handle the pressure well. Pressure is an added responsibility to do well.”

“Everybody is looking forward to the tournament. There is tremendous excitement all around. It cannot get any bigger than this,” he said.

Dhoni added, “What I like about ODI cricket is that there is a bit of Test and Twenty20 cricket in it. If you lose wickets early then you need to play the waiting game and consolidate just like in a Test match. In the end overs, you need to go after the bowling like in the Twenty20 format. So, there is plenty on offer in one-day cricket.”

The India captain was pleased with his side's performance in the practice matches against Australia and New Zealand. “We have to keep improving even as we win. The team that plays consistent cricket in the league and carries that momentum to the knock-out stages has a very good chance. The key is consistency.”

Dhoni was appreciative about Bangladesh's fighting qualities. “They have been playing some good cricket. Their three left-arm spinners have been effective.”

He clarified that the Indian team never gave any excuses. “Sometimes a reasoning given is taken as an excuse,” Dhoni said. Dwelling on reverse swing and the role it could play in the World Cup, the Indian captain said, “Reverse swing will be important, particularly in the latter stages of an innings.” He also spoke about a team's balance and the need for the non-specialist bowlers to contribute.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said, “I asked my men to approach the match against India like any other game.” He added, “I told them to enjoy the match and not feel the pressure. Actually, starting against a strong team like India is good for us. This is a very big competition; the people of Bangladesh are very happy to be a co-host and we need to give it our best shot.”