Dhoni says it's okay to end up on the losing side as long as the boys give their 100%
Dhoni says it's okay to end up on the losing side as long as the boys give their 100% India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opined that the dressing room in the current team is better than the team that travelled to South Africa four years ago. In 2006-07, India came tantalizingly close to sealing a historic Test-series win, and will have that opportunity again as the final Test gets underway here at Newlands on Sunday.
"This is the best dressing room I have felt in all the five years of my international career. It is certainly better than that in 2006, not to say that wasn't good. Most of the guys in this team have achieved a lot, some have played over 150 Tests, and are just enjoying cricket now. They are enjoying doing the practice sessions too, the little things.u00a0
"It feels like a complete dressing room. There are certain batsmen and bowlers getting groomed under senior players. A lot of credit goes to members of the squad including the support staff.
"Gary Kirsten and I think alike, we both believe that it is okay to end up on the losing side if you have given 100 per cent. As long as you are honest to yourself, results are not important. Need to learn to take them with an open heart," Dhoni said on the eve of the Test when asked if this side has a better chance of creating history.
A positive Dhoni reckons India has the required tools to upset South Africa, who have incidentally lost just three Tests since being readmitted to cricket in 1992. "There's no point in looking at history.
I don't know the reason we have not done well in South Africa before. Neither do I know why South Africa have lost just three Tests here. Our focus is on doing the unimportant things right, like preparing well and having plans.u00a0
"We have the talent and temperament to achieve success in South Africa. We see no reason why we can't do it. Winning here will be big. We have a chance to create history," added Dhoni.
Having lost 12 out of 13 tosses this year, Dhoni broke into a laugh, hoping to call right this time around: "I don't mind winning a toss. There are rains predicted, so it would be crucial to bowl first and take some wickets, if there is moisture in the surface."
Asked if the hosts would be under more pressure to protect their record at their fortress, Newlands, Dhoni said: "They can take that in a positive stride. But, definitely they will be feeling the heat a bit."
