Dhoni delighted with squad combination; wants India to channelise their aggression

Dhoni is delighted with the variety of options in the Indian team

Indian ODI & T20 skipper MS Dhoni said that he is delighted with the players he has at his disposal and conceded that he will make changes to the playing eleven depending on the match conditions, Times of India reports. The 34-year-old also revealed that he wants India to “channelise aggression in the right manner”.

The recent Test series victory over Sri Lanka saw India experimenting with their batting order, sometimes out of necessity, as in the case of Cheteshwar Pujara, and sometimes trying out a new position, as in the case of Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane and Suresh Raina had claimed earlier in the day that they were ready to bat at any position, and it’s a view that meets approval from Dhoni himself.

"I would love to. We have to see the side composition, who is best suited to bat at what position," Dhoni asserted. "Most of our players are top-order batsmen, but when it comes to T20, they all bat at different positions. For example, Rohit opens the innings and Ajinkya Rahane is someone who bats middle order in ODIs and Tests but opens in IPL. So we have to see which individual is best at what position and based on that I'll take the call."

Dhoni batting at 4 would mean Suresh Raina coming in at the No 6 spot, with some referring to him as the new ‘finisher’ in the side. Dhoni, however, would like to rate him as a proper batsman.

"Raina is not a finisher. I don't know whether it's something good or bad that we play more IPL than T20 internationals, but if you notice carefully, he is somebody who has batted at No 3 throughout. We promoted him in 2010 during the World Cup in West Indies and he did well. But again, we have to place them strategically so that in serves the best interest of the team," Dhoni said during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

With a variety of bowling options at his disposal, the selection of the final eleven is up to much speculation and it’s not something Dhoni is going to reveal either.

"We have four spinners, three proper seam bowlers, and a seaming allrounder. So it gives you the luxury of going in with the right combination, depending on the scenario. Also, you have to see the strength of the team. If we go with two spinners, one of them has to be a better batsman. We don't have a seaming allrounder, so that is another factor we have to keep in mind,” Dhoni said.

Dhoni wants India to keep their aggression within limits

Kohli’s aggressive captaincy has divided opinions among former players

Former skippers Steve Waugh and Sourav Ganguly had heaped praise on Virat Kohli who led an Indian side to victory over Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Test series. That approach, however, invited criticism from former Indian players like Sanjay Manjrekar and Bishen Singh Bedi who felt the visitors went overboard with their approach.

Dhoni, who adopts a completely different style of captaincy, acknowledged that the side should not let their aggression cross its limits.

"Aggression need not mean exchanging words or physical contact. Rahul Dravid had mentioned that aggression is like a good forward defense to a fast bowler. The same way, our guys are also learning how to channelise aggression in the right manner," "It's good to show intent, but at the same time you need to be in your guidelines. We have to make sure that everyone is available and that no disciplinary action needs to be taken against anyone."

Dhoni also voiced his thoughts on how the Indian team will cope up with switching to the T20 format with their last international outing being in the longest format of the game. The skipper himself is set to play his first competitive match since June having retired from Test cricket and acknowledges that he might take some time to get in the groove.

“I personally think changing guards from Tests to T20 is more difficult. Initially, I believed it to be the other way around, the reason being you can curb your instincts and everything. But when you move to the shorter format the game demands you to hit. For that, you want some kind of flow in your batting; you have to have that big swing but at the same time, not get carried away," Dhoni said.

Dhoni still unsure of T20 World Cup team

Despite tasting success in the inaugural T20 World Cup held in 2007, India has played the least number of international matches in the format among the major Test playing nation. In fact, India has played just two T20Is in the last year, and that came against Zimbabwe in July, when a weakened side took on the minnows in a two-match series.

Dhoni acknowledged that a lack of matches at the international level has left him unsure of his best side but is not overly worried about it as India has a number of matches lined up before the World T20 to be held in their own backyard early next year.

"It's too early; there's still time left before the WorldT20. The good thing though is that January onwards we will play a lot more T20 internationals. Maybe we can try out different combinations in this while so that that it provided everyone an equal opportunity," Dhoni said.

"In big tournaments, the top 3 and 4 get to bat and others are then tested in the knockout stage. But if you play more matches, it gives the option of rotating a team and find out the best structure. In the end, as a captain, one wants his top six to be in good form with the bat, and the best bowlers to have enough matches."