India and Australia resume rivalry: Aus Tour of India 2009

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We have to stay fresh mentally: Dhoni- Hindustan Times

We have to stay fresh mentally: Dhoni

Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, November 07, 2009

First Published: 20:58 IST(7/11/2009)
Last Updated: 21:04 IST(7/11/2009)

Stung by a disappointing loss in Hyderabad, India cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that his boys are trying to stay mentally fresh ahead of the crucial sixth one-day international against Australia in Guwahati on Sunday.

India trail 3-2 in the series and any slip-up will allow the Australians to seal the seven-match series.

The Hyderabad loss has hurt India a lot, but Dhoni said they have put the past behind.

"It (Hyderabad loss) was hurting and disappointing. But we have left everything in the dressing room. We have two more games to go and that's what counts now. Whatever has happened has happened. You cannot change much about it. It's important to concentrate on what lies ahead and stay fresh mentally," he said.

Dhoni said that now he is not looking at winning the series but the priority is to stay alive in it.

"Every game was a pressure game in the series and the remaining two games also. Our first priority is to be in the series, so we have to win the next game and not looking too far ahead."

For India the major concern will be its inconsistent middle order.

"We rely on a good start but every now and then your openers don't score and the pressure comes to the middle order. This is one of the series where the middle order has not performed consistently. It's not a worrying thing. But of course it's good if we get a good start so that the middle order and lower order capitalise on that," he said.

Dhoni backed all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja to perform.

"He is doing well but when it comes to selection, we don't speak too much about it. But every individual, if he is doing well deserves a chance to be in the side. Jadeja is bowling well, as series goes he will turn up more as a batsman," the skipper said.

 

[Pintu]

India under pressure as Australia look to clinch series- Hindustan Times

India under pressure as Australia look to clinch series

Indo-Asian News Service
Guwahati, November 07, 2009

First Published: 18:58 IST(7/11/2009)
Last Updated: 19:00 IST(7/11/2009)

The narrow loss in Hyderabad pushed India on to the backfoot in the seven-match series as Australia took a 3-2 lead. Psychologically, the pressure is on the home team as they need to win the remaining two games to stop the visitors from clinching the series.

On the eve of the sixth match here at the Nehru Stadium there was a spring in the Australians' steps. In one match the roles had been reversed. At Hyderabad, India looked like pulling it off as the Australians just about managed to put up 11 fit men after all-rounder Moises Henriuqes became the fifth player to be ruled out of the series with an injury.

Fast bowler Clinton McKay, who was flown in as a replacement, shone on his debut with three wickets in the high-scoring game. The arrival of all-rounder Andrew McDonald gives Ricky Ponting better selection options.

Back-to-back defeats can be demoralising, but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that the team has put that behind. They have to forget the Hyderabad loss and correct some of the cardinal mistakes they made in the field as well as in batting.

A 'fresh start' is what Dhoni is looking for and will again look to Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to give a rollicking start. The middle-order has been inconsistent, but Dhoni is not too worried and wants a big one from either Tendulkar or Sehwag.

It is the toss which may turn out to be the most crucial aspect of the game that starts at 8.30 a.m. Though curator Sunil Barua has promised a run feast, the ball should move around a bit in the first hour or so. But it is the fading light which is worrying the organisers. With day-light available till about 4.30 p.m., the organisers have kept the cut-off time at 4.10 pm and there is also a possibility of the Duckworth-Lewis Method coming into play if the game is not finished within the stipulated time.

Sensing a series-clincher here, Ponting would be again depending on his opening batsman Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh to repeat their Hyderabad show. Ponting is unlikely to change the winning combination and that means fast bowling spearhead Mitchell Johnson will have to sit out.

 

[Pintu]

http://www.ptinews.com/news/366388_Guwahati-gears-up-to-host-India-Australia-ODI

Guwahati gears up to host India-Australia ODI

STAFF WRITER 17:16 HRS IST

Guwahati, Nov 7 (PTI) Starved of international cricket for more than two years, Guwahati, the commercial capital of the North East, is gearing up to host the India-Australia sixth one-dayer tomorrow.

The city was robbed off India-England one-dayer scheduled on November 29 last year due to 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks but this time around there is an air of festivity with the capital of Assam getting ready to host its 14th one-dayer.

Thanks to cricket fans from the seven north eastern states flogging into the city for the match, the hotels here are doing a brisk business. A three-tier security cover has been in place with central paramilitary forces and Assam Police battalions being pressed into service.

"The mood this time is very vibrant. It's more than two years now since the people here watched an international match. Also, the series is now interestingly poised," Assam Cricket Association media manager Pabitra Gogoi said.