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'The important thing about Dhoni is he's interested in getting the job done'

March 10, 2015 08:36 IST

India captain MS Dhoni during a training session. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Pace legend Michael Holding is impressed with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's approach. 

The Indian captain made an unbeaten 45 at the WACA, against the West Indies, and played the anchor's role to perfection in guiding the team in its chase of 183. And Holding seemed impressed.

"The important thing about MS Dhoni is that he is not really interested in how he looks. He is interested in getting the job done, he doesn't mind getting ugly runs.

"And he is not out there to play pretty cover drives and to play square cuts and hook shots and that sort of a thing. He is there to get
whatever runs are required and however they come he is happy to take them," Holding said, in ESPNcricinfo's video show Match Point.

"Some of the other batsmen, it was almost as if they want to look in a particular way when they are getting the runs, not MS Dhoni, he just wants to get the job done. And as we have seen he comes in this sort of position on so many occasions and all he is doing is talking to his partner, telling them just stay with me, we will just push it around. 

"There was no need to score quickly because they did not require 6 and 7 runs per over that sometimes you require. And just push around and get the runs," he added. 

Mohammed Shami and Virat Kohli of India are congratulated after dismissing Quinton de Kock of South Africa during the World Cup match in Melbourne. Photograph: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Impressed with the "control" of the Indian bowlers, said that Mohammed Shami and company have stuck to a consistent line and length to outwit the opposition batsmen in the cricket World Cup so far. 

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"Well, the control, we saw pitch maps again today that the line was very very good. All the bouncers were direct in line with the batsmen, some of them were little bit higher as we mentioned earlier on.

"But there were no balls outside the off stump for them to go back and cut away or too many balls down the leg side. That is what you are looking for with fast bowlers, the control that they show," Holding said.

West Indies legend Michael Holding. Photograph: Getty Images

There is no point bowling fast and spraying it all over the place and I think Mohammed Shami in particular has been very very good. And as Ajit (Agarkar) just said the opening bowlers have made it easier for the first change, Mohit Sharma who has come into this squad. 

"He has come in with almost no pressure because every time he has had the ball in his hands the opening bowlers have taken wickets. So he is bowling almost to a new batsman and make things little bit easier for him," he added. 

India, who registered their fourth consecutive win in pool B after beating West Indies by four wickets at the WACA last week, are likely to top their group while heading into the quarter-finals and Holding was all praise for the bowling department.

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