Dhoni told reporters Saturday it was “a tempting and
challenging decision” but he was likely to continue with three seam bowlers “because
if you play with just two seamers, your bowling becomes quite similar.” India
will deploy four specialist bowlers, plus a choice from its part-timers.
The pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium aided turn during a
practice game against Australia last week and there has been speculation that
India would play another spinner, apart from Harbhajan Singh, and just two
pacers for the Group B game.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Piyush Chawla are the other
specialist spinners while Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan are the part-time
spinners used regularly by India.
“The wicket can definitely change a lot in two weeks, a lot
depends on how rolling is done and how it is prepared,” Dhoni said of the
pitch, adding that rain could not be ruled out.
“We'll have to see the weather and pitch before the start of
the game,” he said.
The skipper said it was an important game, but that India's
preparations had remained the same.
“In every game you have to start from scratch,” he said.
“You have to do all the good things that you did before,
whether you are playing Bangladesh, England, Australia or Ireland.” Dhoni said
there was no added pressure playing the first World Cup match at home.
“I made my debut in 2004. I've never played a series when we
are not under pressure - whether it is to win a match easily or playing against
a strong opponent. Most of the guys are used to it,” he said.
“We have had a good start (to the tournament) but we are not
celebrating yet.” Asked whether England batsman Kevin Pietersen's performance
could prove crucial, Dhoni said there was no particular player in the England
side who held the key to the match.
Dhoni added that there were no fitness worries in his team.
Batsmen Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj, who had suffered minor injuries during
practice sessions, are both fit.
