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  5. Zaheer's Return Boosts Dhoni's Confidence In Bowling Unit

Zaheer's Return Boosts Dhoni's Confidence In Bowling Unit

The seamers are already in their rhythm and fit-again Zaheer Khan's return would add more firepower to the Indian attack in the first Test against Sri Lanka, home side captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said in

PTI PTI Updated on: November 15, 2009 16:02 IST
zaheer s return boosts dhoni s confidence in bowling unit
zaheer s return boosts dhoni s confidence in bowling unit

The seamers are already in their rhythm and fit-again Zaheer Khan's return would add more firepower to the Indian attack in the first Test against Sri Lanka, home side captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Dhoni was happy with the way his seamers have been bowling in recent past and with Zaheer returning as the pace spearhead, the Indian captain said he had no particular worry with his attack.

"All the seamers are bowling very well right now. They all are bowling around the same speed and I don't think speed would be a major factor," Dhoni told mediapersons here.

 "I am quite happy with the bowlers. They have played lot of domestic and international cricket. Even Zaheer Khan has recovered fully and bowling well. I am not worried too much about the bowling," he said on the eve of the Test match.

Zaheer's return augurs well for India since the left-arm seamer is one of the foremost exponents of reverse swing, which, Dhoni feels, would be a key factor.

"In Test, when the fast bowler get reverse swing quite early in the game, it becomes difficult for the batsman to score freely," Dhoni said.

Incidentally Zaheer, who is returning to international cricket after a five-month injury layoff, did not attend today's net session but Dhoni assured there was nothing wrong with him.

"That's his general way of preparation. He likes to have a light practice before the game and spends time in the gym," Dhoni said.

In the slow bowling department, Dhoni said besides Harbhajan Singh, leg-spinner Amit Mishra and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha should be looked out for.

Talking about opponents, Dhoni said it would be quite interesting to see how the Lankan use their spinners, particularly Muttiah Muralitharan who has got vast experience of bowling against India.

 "Also, it would be interesting to see how their other spinners bowl with the red ball," Dhoni said.

India have a rather embarrassing memories of their last Test at the Sardar Patel Stadium last year when they got bundled out for a paltry 76 in 20 overs against South Africa in the first innings.

Dhoni said his team had put behind the nightmare and was looking ahead.

 "(Besides) the wicket looks good and is different from last years," he said.

Dhoni was not losing sleep over the fact that India played less Test and more Twenty20 and ODIs in recent past and remained confident of good show in the three-match series.

"Though we are playing Test after a long time, our team members have been playing different formats like the one-days and domestic cricket and hopefully we would see some good stuff," Dhoni said.

Quizzed on the pressure to perform, Dhoni said, "Indian team and pressure go hand in hand. I have not played a series where we are not under pressure. So we are not bothered too much about that." PTI

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