Australia are not weak because big names are missing: Dhoni

Addressing the media before leaving for the Australia tour, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher both warned against complacency creeping into the team about facing a weak Australian side.

The two sides will play four Tests, a tri-nation ODI series involving Sri Lanka and a couple of Twenty20 matches.

Fletcher was asked whether this was the best chance India had of winning in Australia and the Englishman said, “We cannot go there with a complacent attitude about the Australian bowlers.”

Dhoni echoed the coach’s views by citing Ravinchandran Ashwin’s example. “Some people believe that the previous Australian side was much stronger that the current one but just because the big names aren’t in their squad, it doesn’t mean they’re a weak side. Even Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath started off with a zero on their statistic table. No one knew what Ashwin could do and he ended up as man of the series against West Indies.”

The skipper sounded fresh and motivated after being rested for the ODIs against West Indies, saying it was a much needed break for him. “We need to rest if we want to continually win. I don’t see rest as a major hindrance because for me it means the niggles are gone and I come back fresher.”

He did not seem to be worried about the team’s form before going into a series which is touted as one of the most exciting encounters in cricket. “Only the England tour did not go our way but that happens in international cricket. Overall, we’ve been consistent in spite of missing and resting big names.”

Dhoni was stressing on the importance of the process of growing as a team rather than the pressure of just winning. “We focus on preparation because that is in our control and results are not. You can get bogged down by pressure to win but once we’re on top, it is harder to stay there. It is not a one-day process but takes months.”

Much has been said about the pitches in Australia and the bounce they generate but Fletcher brushed off claims that they are the toughest to play on. “Actually it is very similar to South Africa. The pitches are not as bouncy as a lot of people think. I would rather say that the  pitches in the West Indies were bouncier. But it is important we go there and play on the practice nets and learn as quickly as possible.”