Skipper MS Dhoni does not want to brood over the 0-2 state of the series. Perth is where his entire focus is
Skipper MS Dhoni does notu00a0 want to brood over the 0-2 state of the series. Perth is where his entire focus is
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hasn't let criticism affect him. He likes to do things his way. Despite going down two-nil at Sydney last week, he suggested the team explore Perth's famous Belmont go-karting circuit. Even in England, Dhoni's men went go-karting in Cardiff before the fifth one-dayer. It's predictable stuff from the India captain. He likes to switch off from cricket once in a while.
Over the last week or so, former cricketers, notably Sunil Gavaskar have questioned Dhoni's alleged casual attitude. "Christmas is big in Australia and it's understandable for Australian players taking off after the first Test, but what were our players doing? Why were they not doing practice? Have they gone there for sightseeing or to play cricket?" Gavaskar said few days ago as he felt the two-nil loss was not hurting India enough.
Dhoni was of a different view though. "It's not true. It depends on whatu00a0 a person means by that," Dhoni told reporters on the eve of today's third Test. "If you have lost two Test matches, and sitting on the ground and weeping for four hours means it is hurting, then definitely we are grown-up boys and we won't really do that. As far as not doing well is concerned, we have experienced boys, and youngsters in the side, who really want to do well. It hurts a bit, but at the end of the day being a sport, you want to improve and come back. You don't want to be emotional, sit on a chair and say okay it's not really going our way," he said.
Having been at the helm of Indian cricket for close to four years, Dhoni is not fazed by detractors. "It's (criticism) something that you have to take in your stride. It is easier to look from outside, and comment on particular decisions. More often than not you have seen the result... and then comment on it. It's something we have to embrace. That helps you improve. It's not about taking the best decision because more often than not, it depends on what happens after the decision. Honestly, that's what I try to do. At times I go wrong, at times I don't go wrong. People feel I went wrong. It's part and parcel of leading a side," he said.
Dhoni felt that the Australian media were drinking beers and imagining a rift in the Indian camp. "As far as fights are concerned, I have never seen an Indian team fight. It's something that's happening after a few beers with the opposition. They are just sitting and dreaming of it. Because, it has not happened. That's one thing we are really proud of. When we speak about the dressing room atmosphere, and how we love each other's success, that has been the real strength of the Indian cricket team. And I don't see it
moving in any other direction," Dhoni said.
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