Mumbai: Indian captain MS Dhoni on Tuesday said that his side will have to adapt quickly to the challenge of playing under the new ODI rules outside the sub-continent for the first time if they want to win next month’s Champions Trophy in the UK.
“There are a few challenges in front of us as this is the first time we will be playing outside India, outside sub-continent after introductions of new ODI rules,” Dhoni told reporters at the pre-departure press conference here. “It is a tough tournament as the top eight teams will be there and each match will be difficult. Overall, it is looking good and we have time for preparation,” said a grim-looking Dhoni.
“We have won it jointly (2002 in Sri Lanka) but we have not won it outright. I think it’s a good opportunity as this is the last time the Champions Trophy may be held. It is a balanced side,” added Dhoni.
The scribes had been asked to refrain asking questions outside the Champions Trophy, and specifically about the raging spot-fixing and betting scandal that has been rocking Indian cricket, by the team’s media manager Dr RN Baba.
Baba intervened quite a few times to questions of such nature put to Dhoni.
India are grouped with Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa and will begin their campaign against the Proteas in Cardiff on June 6.
Dhoni said there were gaps between matches which would be beneficial for the team. “For Champions Trophy, everything looks good. We will get a lot of time after the first game we play. Even the three matches in the league stage have lot of interval between them,” he said. (PTI)
