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Our preparation remains the same: Dhoni

K.C. Vijaya Kumar

Bangalore: Complacency will be kept at bay when India takes on Ireland at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday.

At a press conference laced with humour here on Saturday, M.S. Dhoni said: “We have ‘very fond' memories of getting beaten by Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup and we won't make that mistake again. There are individuals in every team who can score at an amazing strike-rate of 150 or 200 and that can change the game. Our preparation level remains the same and the intensity should remain the same.”

The Indian captain also took note of Kevin O'Brien's blazing hundred that stumped England on Wednesday night but refused to divulge strategies against the Irish big-hitter.

“It was an unbelievable innings and it was impressive to see him change gears. He got run out (against England) so we will try to get him run out,” Dhoni said.

Trend of high scores

Dhoni pointed out that the pitch for Sunday's game might continue the trend of high scores. “Close to 1400 runs were scored in the last two matches and it says what kind of a wicket it is.

“Probably it won't change much and it could still be a high-scoring game. In both the games, batting under lights has been quite easy compared to the afternoon session where the ball stops a bit and the spinners get a little bit of turn. In the second half it gets quite a bit placid,” Dhoni said but he remained non-committal on whether R. Ashwin would figure in the eleven. “Wait for tomorrow,” he quipped.

Dhoni's counterpart William Porterfield refused to be overawed by the challenge of playing the host. “We played Bangladesh in Bangladesh and it would be similar. There were some fanatical supporters and there will be a few more on Sunday. We have put Wednesday behind us, we have got bigger challenges ahead,” Porterfield said.

The Irish captain said all-rounder Andre Botha was likely to be fit though he might be tempted to field an extra batsman. “We have got so many options with the ball. Even Kevin O'Brien did not bowl an over (against England) but he gave us a 50-ball 100. We have to plan our options with the ball. If we want to chase a 300 plus total as was the case in the last game, we need depth in our batting,” Porterfield said.

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