Photographs: Getty Images Krishnakumar Padmanabhan in New Delhi
India will use Wednesday's game against the Netherlands to iron out the creases in its bowling and test all available options ahead of its two other big group matches against South Africa and the West Indies, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said ahead of the day night encounter at the Feroze Shah Kotla, New Delhi.
"We would like to improve our bowling," Dhoni said.
Specifically, when a batsmen is set, we need to work on ways to get him out. We have to push him to play a shot. That will be one of the areas," he added.
Yusuf needs to spend a bit of time in middle
Image: Yusuf PathanPhotographs: Reuters
After their batsmen have had a decent stint in the middle, Dhoni said that he would now like to test all his bowling options before the knock-out stage.
"One good thing is that most batsmen have got a chance to play," he said.
"So it is good to feature all the bowlers and see. Though it is still important to win each game, we will love to give them the chance," he added.
On India's batting order, the skipper hinted that he may promote Yusuf Pathan, who is the only Indian batsman not to have gotten a good look in.
"Virat is the only batsmen who needs to be batting at number three or four. Most of us who follow him can float around," he said.
"Yusuf needs to spend a bit more time in the middle," he added.
'It would be difficult to feature Raina'
Image: Suresh RainaPhotographs: Reuters
Asked if Suresh Raina will get a look in on Wednesday, he said: "It is becoming a very difficult choice to make it happen. To make place for Raina, you have to rest either Sehwag, Gambhir or Kohli, because I want Yusuf to spend time in the middle. This is their home ground and all three will be keen to play.
"So, I think, personally, it would be difficult to feature Raina in the eleven, particularly in the next game."
On the criticism that his batting has become more reactive than being proactive, he said however much you plan ahead, there are times when the situation in the middle will demand you to react to it.
"You have to be ready for everything," he said.
"Apart from the toss, you have quite a few things up your sleeve. It is always better to react depending on how the game progresses.
"Even if you plan for a batsman, on that particular day, his way of batting may change according to the conditions, you have to react with what is thrown to you. You obviously go in with plans, but you have to change," he added.
Not a fan of UDRS
Image: MS Dhoni asks for a review systemPhotographs: Getty Images
The captain also made it clear that the three matches so far have not converted him into a great fan of UDRS.
Reminded that India have gotten most of their six referrals so far wrong, he said: "There have been instances where we have taken the DRS for the heck of it because the match was coming to an end.
Like, we can't take it home, can we? So we thought we will take it and see what happens. Yuvraj got a favourable decision. So, basically, I favour using it rather than taking it back to the dressing room."
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