Johannesburg: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday said his young team has accepted the fact that the iconic Sachin Tendulkar is no longer available and they will have to “move on” and concentrate on the job at hand.
The post-Tendulkar era in Indian cricket begins here on Wednesday when the visitors take on a formidable South African side in what will be the real test of character for this new look Indian batting.
“With the last Test match we played in India, it is 100 percent sure that Sachin won’t be available for any more international series. It was always good to have him, but now that he won’t be there, we have to concentrate on what he have in our hands. We have accepted that fact and moved on,” Dhoni said on the eve of the first Test.
This is the first time since November 1996, that all four batting stalwarts from the last two decades, Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly will be missing from the Indian line-up.
It has been a roller-coaster last few seasons for the Indian cricket with the ignominy of having lost 0-8 in Test matches in England and Australia. They have partially pulled it back with six back to-back Test match victories at home.
“Every series is a fresh start. There is no point bringing excess baggage. It is about getting used to conditions and offering what the team has. There are plenty of youngsters in this side, who will get exposure by playing competitive cricket at the Test level. So it’s a big positive for us,” Dhoni said.
Having already conceded the ODI series 0-2, there have also been question marks on the Indian team’s preparations going into the two-Test series, against the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Vernon Philander, who have dominated the proceedings so far.
“At Benoni, we could have batted on the first day and made the opposition field on a wet outfield. But that would have been selfish of us because they also have a First-Class season going on.,” said Dhoni.
About the disastrous ODI series, Dhoni cited the short duration of the series being one of the factors for India not being able to make a comeback.
“But we learnt plenty from that series, what lengths to bowl and as batsmen what to leave. So overall, our preparation has been good and it is all about how individuals adapt to different scenarios now,” he said.
Those different scenarios could pertain to two things before the start of a Test match, the pitch and team selection. The wicket at Wanderers will afford pace and bounce as always but it looks different from the ODI match that India played couple of weeks back.
“The wicket here will certainly assist the fast bowlers initially. So it will be very crucial to bowl well, especially with the new ball,” said the Indian captain.
As is his wont, Dhoni didn’t reveal the playing XI although he hinted that two of his bowlers will play a very crucial role.
“This middle-order has done well in the domestic circuit and also in whatever international exposure they have got. It is a fresh challenge for them and they will gain immense experience about how to play Test cricket outside India,” he said.
Dhoni expects that veteran Zaheer Khan will guide the younger crop of pace bowlers as well lead the attack with a good show.
Asked about who will be batting at No 4, Dhoni replied: “Wait and watch!” (PTI)