ADELAIDE:As Pakistan and India all set to World Cup encounter on Sunday at Adelaide Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni stressed his team to players forget their losing experience in Australia and focused on opening match against arch rival Pakistan, foreign news agency AFP reported.
Dhoni said that Sunday’s high-voltage clash against Pakistan, which he described as a “prized game” on the cricket calendar, was an opportunity for players to transform themselves from zeroes to heroes.
“There is of course more intensity when we play Pakistan because the game is followed by so many fans,” the Indian captain said. “But I see it as a good platform for the team to perform.
“We need to forget the past and try not to make the same mistakes. It’s been a long summer but the positive thing is that we have got used to the conditions. The boys are looking good.
“I can also proudly announce that all 15 are fit and available for selection — unless something happens between now and tomorrow.”
Dhoni said he did not need to calm nerves ahead of the key encounter, explaining his players were used to appearing before huge crowds in the Indian Premier League and during other high-profile home games.
A sell-out crowd of 47,000 at the refurbished Adelaide Oval and millions of passionate fans across the world will follow the Pool B match which organisers said was sold out in 20 minutes.
Dhoni said that history has nothing to do with current scenario saying what mattered more was how the team played on the given day.
“There have been a lot of changes in the last four years,” said Dhoni. “But the current team has played together for a long time and knows what is needed in pressure situations.”
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