20 February,2012 07:08 AM IST | | A Correspondent
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni reckons the presence of three senior batsmen in the playing XI will handicap India further when it comes to the fielding aspect.
Slow mover: Gautam Gambhir
"People often talk about that one run, but that one run that you save, it changes the strike, and if the next ball the batsman plays a big shot - a six or a four, it can have a big impact," Dhoni was quoted as saying in his post match press conference by ESPN Cricinfo. He continued: "If you see, the last few games that we played, we got two or three run-outs and that really had a big impact.
"Also, it's not only these three players (Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gambhir) that we are talking about. We also have quite a few other players who are slow on the field. It will just add on to that, and we will be left with just two or three really good fielders.
"It's not that these fielders are bad, but for this environment and these conditions and big outfields, they are slightly on the slower side. They will be exploited."
Smart foes...
He was convinced his CB Series opponents, Australia and Sri Lanka won't miss a trick. "Once the ball goes to them, the Australians or the Sri Lankans will try to exploit the doubles or three runs. It means it will put more pressure on their body because the throwing needs to be good, and the diving needs to be good so they will under constant pressure. So ultimately it will be a pressure game."
"That may happen," Dhoni said referring to the possibility of the three playing in the team. "It will affect our fielding in a big way, which means there will be more pressure on the batsmen to score those extra 20 runs. But if the middle-order does not perform consistently well, you may have to go with the experienced guys at the top of the order."