The Hindu : Sport : Keeping wickets to Sehwag is really tough: Dhoni

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 22, 2005

Sport

Sport

Keeping wickets to Sehwag is really tough: Dhoni

Sports Reporter

A CLOSE VIEW: Indian skipper Rahul Dravid, who had a good look at the wicket, hopes for a full match on Tuesday. — Photo: S. Subramanium

Chennai: A striking aspect of the current Indian team is how youngsters and players perceived as inconsistent performers have chimed all the right notes. Ajit Agarkar, perennial under-achiever, has lifted his game, bowling with nous on batting wickets; left-arm paceman R.P. Singh has impressed with the position of his arm at delivery; and M.S. Dhoni has been a revelation.

As skipper Rahul Dravid inspected the ground, the three players spoke to newsmen as part of a new initiative by the Indian media manager, Wing Commander M. Baladitya.

Agarkar, when asked what he had done differently this season, said, "I've worked on a couple of things with Ian Frazer, rotating my hip and getting my body behind the ball," he said. "It's always good to bowl well with the new ball."

R.P. Singh thrilled

R.P. Singh said he was thrilled with winning the Man of the Match in only his third ODI. "I got a lot of confidence out of that. I have a sound arm action and I'm just concentrating on bowling good line and length — disciplined bowling." He said the support staff had helped with his action.

"In Harare, Ian (Frazer) said I was not pivoting enough. So I am doing that now and getting some swing."

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni picked Sehwag as the toughest bowler he has kept to, saying the Najafgarh man was more difficult than even Anil Kumble. "I don't know why, but Veeru is very tough."

The man from Jharkhand is expected to break into the Test team soon, but he refused to be drawn out on the issue. "That should be left to the selectors. I was given a chance in ODIs and have done well. If selected for Tests I will try my best."

The trio also underlined the importance of the fitness work they have been doing. R.P. Singh said each player was given a schedule and even on days such as Monday, where rain forced him indoors, he had sessions of cardiovascular exercises and strength training for the abdominal muscles.

Dhoni said the twin tasks he performed required greater fitness work during the off-season. He said had been working on his footwork while keeping wicket, especially his movement to the right.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport