Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Saturday said pacer Ishant Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja are not fit for the team's opening game in the ODI tri-series against Australia
Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, knee and shoulder injuries, India, Australia, tri-series, Carlton Tri-series, MS Dhoni
Melbourne: Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni Saturday said pacer Ishant Sharma and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja are not fit for the team's opening game in the ODI tri-series against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Sunday.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma
Dhoni said the tri-nation series against Australia and England will be a preparation ground for India's World Cup title defence. Ishant Sharma (left knee) and Jadeja (left shoulder) will not be available for selection for the MCG ODI. "There are quite a few players with a bit of a niggle here and there and we are monitoring their progress. In tomorrow's game, Ishant and Jadeja are not available for selection because we are managing their workload."
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Speaking of his bowling plans, Dhoni wants his pacers to perfect their yorkers for the limited overs challenge. "The execution of yorkers and bouncers becomes very crucial and that's what we have been working on in the last few days. The bowlers are doing pretty well with the yorkers and if they can replicate in the match, we will be very happy with it," Dhoni said.
Dhoni has said pacers Mohit Sharma and Dhawal Kulkarni still have a chance of being included in the World Cup squad. Besides the 15 players picked for the World Cup, India have included Mohit Sharma and Kulkarni in the tri-series squad to give the main bowlers some time to recover from the Test series.
However, Dhoni hasn't ruled out Mohit and Dhawal's late inclusion in the World Cup squad if required. "That's the major thinking behind them being here," Dhoni said. "At the same time, we will first select players from the 15-man World Cup squad. If we feel a player needs more time then we will look to add Mohit or Dhawal in the squad."
Discussing the squad further, Dhoni said the inclusion of Stuart Binny was a crucial one as at some of the pace friendly venues the team will need a seam bowling all-rounder. "We are playing a few games in Perth and New Zealand, where we felt the last time that there wasn't much purchase for the spinners," Dhoni explained.
"That's where Stuey may come in. Irrespective of all the debate, the best seam all-rounder in India has been picked. He is an exciting player - he bats aggressively and is a good bowler. If he gives me six to eight overs it's more than enough."
Dhoni said fielding will be his team's strength going into the marquee tournament. "Fielding is something we pride ourselves on," he said. "It is a major part of modern cricket irrespective of the format. We are a fantastic fielding side and it has reflected in the ODIs that we have played in the last few years.
Fielding, the key
"On grounds with big outfields it is important to judge where to stand because on these grounds the batsmen like to push the ball between two fielders and run two-three runs." India's record in the ICC tournaments in the last four years has been remarkable. They won the Champions Trophy in England in 2013 and were runners-up in last the World Twenty20 in
Sri Lanka.
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