The overwhelming emphasis from MS Dhoni was on the need for the Indians to pull together as a team, in order to keep up their winning habit. While he, and Gary Kirsten, much prefer to look forward than back, they clearly have learned their lessons from the journey of the last twelve months.
“Last year, we did well as a team. The important thing is that we don’t rely on one or two individuals, we have been performing as a team,” said Dhoni. “In most games a lot of people have been contributing. Part-timers have done the job well with the ball. We have improved as a fielding unit as well, and that helps, too.”
At the same time Dhoni, echoing Kirsten’s words, said there were enough ‘gamebreakers’ in the squad. “We have the kind of players who can make you win games on their own but we are always looking for the whole team to perform,” said Dhoni. “In these conditions you can get one good ball and get out. You want the team to be at a level where everyone is performing. It helps the confidence of the whole team.”
Dhoni, who prefers to walk the walk rather than talk his team up, shed some light on the approach the think-tank has employed in the recent past. “What we have done is divert our attention from the expectations (of others) to the process and what we want to achieve. Expectation is set by others and can be too high to achieve,” said Dhoni.
{{/usCountry}}Dhoni, who prefers to walk the walk rather than talk his team up, shed some light on the approach the think-tank has employed in the recent past. “What we have done is divert our attention from the expectations (of others) to the process and what we want to achieve. Expectation is set by others and can be too high to achieve,” said Dhoni.
{{/usCountry}}“As individuals you know your potential and accordingly you can fix goals for what you want to do in a series. We want to focus on the process, the practice, the plans. That has been working for us.”