Having spent most time at the South Australian venue, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni indicates there'll be no shortage of support for Sunday's blockbuster
The Indian team during the cultural and entertainment programme organised by South Australian Tourism at the Adelaide Oval yesterday. Pic/Suman Chattopadhyay
Adelaide: It's amazing how India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni keeps his wit even as he nears D-Day — February 15 — when over a billion fans are expected to watch him and his Men in Blue take on arch-rivals Pakistan in what is being touted as the 2015 ICC World Cup's biggest match.
The Indian team during the cultural and entertainment programme organised by South Australian Tourism at the Adelaide Oval yesterday. Pic/Suman Chattopadhyay
Yesterday, at a cultural and entertainment programme organised by South Australian Tourism, MSD turned up at the Adelaide Oval with his full team in tow.
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The organisers in fact weren't sure if the entire Indian team would make it given the pressure the World Champions have been under ever since losing almost everything since they landed in Australia in the end of last year.
"We had invited the full team but even if only Dhoni and his deputy Virat (Kohli) would have turned up, it would've been good enough for us. We realise that the team has a big match on Sunday and would need to relax," said an SA Tourism official.
At the winery...
Dhoni meanwhile, looked his cucumber cool self and even retained his sense of humour. When asked what it felt like to have some time off from the tour here before the World Cup and go around visiting spas and wineries, Dhoni replied: "We did go to a winery, but our media manager Dr Baba drank up all the wine, so there wasn't any left for us players." The 300-plus gathering was in splits.
On a series note, the wicketkeeper-batsman admitted that having to play THE big game in Adelaide was good for his team as they were quite accustomed to the place by now.
"We've spent almost three months in Australia and of that we've spent most of the time in Adelaide, so this place feels like home now.
"Adelaide has traditionally been a small venue when compared to Melbourne and Sydney, but after recent renovation, it is now very much comparable to the other two big Australian cricket stadiums.
"Besides, the fans here have always been very supportive. Hopefully, it will be a fantastic World Cup not just for us but also for the fans," said the India captain to thundering applause.
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