Mumbai: Indian captain MS Dhoni said that his team cannot afford to let match-winning opportunities slip against a strong team like England during the upcoming five-match Test series beginning on July 9 at Trent Bridge.
“The 2011 series in England and Australia was very disappointing series for us but when we went to South Africa and New Zealand we were not really able to close the games. It was a good effort by our bowlers but we were denied by some fantastic batting from the opposition. When we come to 50-50 situation we should capitalise on that,” said Dhoni at the pre-departure press conference here on Saturday.
He was referring to the first game against South Africa in Johannesburg and the second and last match of the series against New Zealand in Wellington later on.
The 18-member Indian squad is set to depart for England in the early hours on Sunday.
Dhoni said that he has decided to play his normal attacking game irrespective of the situation India will find itself as the playing eleven will have seven batsmen. He said he wants to back his instincts and go for his shots.
“As far as my batting is concerned, I need to be far more aggressive. When I am aggressive, I am far better than when I try to play like a proper batsman. I intend to go for my shots from the first ball.
“I have to back my instincts. Six to seven batsman when you play, it is very important to back my strength and not think too much about the situation. It is very important that I back my strength and play aggressive strokes and score runs rather than taking my time out,” he said. (PTI)