Pietersen's injury a 'blessing in disguise' for Dhoni?

Rising Pune Supergiants' skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be eager to break the sequence of reverses and get their campaign back on track when they lock horns with in-form Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, in Pune, on Sunday.

While pointing out the bench strength of the team, Dhoni has said that his teammate Kevin Pietersen's injury could turn out be a 'blessing in disguise'.

Pietersen was forced to retire after facing only one ball as he hurt his leg while trying to take a single during Supergiants' 13-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League clash at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday.

The former England batsman immediately called for assistance before being carried back to the dressing room.

Following their third consecutive loss in the tournament, Dhoni admitted that his side's death bowling was far from impressive, while stating that they could bring in all-rounders like Albie Morkel or Mitch Marsh in the next game.

"We're playing with six bowlers, yet our death bowling isn't great," Dhoni was quoted as saying by a cricket website. "Maybe we can look to bring in Albie Morkel or Mitch Marsh in the next game. With the kind of players we've got, it has always been difficult to drop someone. We need to strengthen our bowling line a bit."

Pune are currently seventh in the points table and will play their next game against table-topping Kolkata Knight Riders at home on Monday.

Image: Kevin Pietersen

Photograph: Andrew Boyers Livepic/Action Images via Reuters