Dhoni wary of ‘confident’ England: Final CT13

India may be entering the Champions Trophy final on the back of the only unbeaten run in the tournament but captain MS Dhoni insisted he was taking nothing for granted ahead of the champions' clash with hosts England at Edgbaston on Sunday. (Also Read: Cook confident England can upset India)

“I think they (England) are a very good side, like each and every side when it comes to the Champions Trophy, which means all of them are strong enough to beat anyone on that particular day and win the trophy,” Dhoni said. (Also Read: Preview: India vs England - Champions Trophy 2013 Final)

“England are a very good side. We have played quite often in the last couple of years so we know the same amount about them and they know the same about us,” added Dhoni, whose side have eight of their last 10 one-dayers against England, albeit all those matches were in India.

Speaking about the challenge presented by the England attack especially James Anderson, he said,         “They are a quality side, especially the bowlers, and what we are positive about is the fact that our top-order, they have done well, and also the fact they have played some of the best bowlers in world cricket so far in the tournament.  So I think they are quite well prepared for the English bowlers, it's just that, like in every game, you have to apply, also, so we'll wait and watch.”

While talking about his bowlers who have used the conditions to their advantage and won games for India, Dhoni said, “Well, we have exploited the condition well and we have bowled in the right areas, which I feel is very important.  Also, what we have done is bowled in one area quite consistently.  Most of our bowlers at times, they tend to look for wickets, and in these conditions what's important is to keep bowling in the same channel, use less of variation, more of consistency, and that really helps you get wickets and put pressure.  So that's one area where we have done really well.”

While talking about his spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja - Dhoni elaborated on how they complement each other. “It is important to realise they are a bowling unit, and it's the impact that every individual has (that makes a difference).  It can reflect on how many wickets the other guy takes.  If one of them is bowling brilliantly, it can actually put pressure on the other guy who's bowling from the other end may get wickets.  So it's very important that they hunt in pairs. And I think that's what they have been doing really well so far.  When Jadeja puts the pressure, Ashwin gets the wicket; when Ashwin puts the pressure, Jadeja gets the wicket.  Both of them are very crucial for each other's success and for the success of the team.”

Asked if the first 10 overs are crucial, Dhoni said that they are and added, “I think so far in this tournament that's what we have seen.  If you get off to a very good start, batting or bowling, you are able to put pressure on the middle order and then you can restrict the opposition from scoring freely, or, if you are batting first if you have wickets, you can get those extra 20 or 25 runs and it can prove very crucial because with the five fielders inside, you want that cushioning of those extra 20 to 25 runs.”

With the 30^th anniversary of India’s first ever ICC World Cup victory in 1983 just a couple of days away, the Indian captain said: “1983, it was a very special year for us, winning the World Cup for the first time.  I would like to wish each and every person who was part of that team and the support staff and whoever was involved, thanks for giving us the '83 World Cup.”

sourcee:bcci.tv