Bowlers would have to adapt quickly: Dhoni

Pune, Oct 12 (IANS) The focus has quickly shifted from Sachin Tendulkar‘s retirement to the seven-match ODI series between India and Australia that starts here Sunday with the first game.

The lone Twenty20, won by India, in Rajkot witnessed 200 runs being scored by both the teams and that had set the tone for the series.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni hoped that his bowlers will quickly adapt to the demands of ODI’s.

“In the last T20 game a fair amount of runs, 200 runs each, were scored. Overall the conditions were tough for the bowlers on both sides. But I am sure bowlers would adapt to the conditions as the series progresses and you can expect better performances out of both the teams (bowlers) who were expensive,” Dhoni said here Saturday.

Dhoni defended the bowlers of both the teams in the Twenty20 match.

“One also has to take into consideration the dew factor Fast bowlers were unable to bowl yorkers while spinners found it difficult to extract turn and bounce,” said Dhoni.

Dhoni feels new playing rules that stipulates the presence of one extra fielder inside the restricted field circle in the last 10 overs has made life difficult for the bowlers.

“If you see the ODIs, now we will have one more fielder inside (the 30-yard). I don’t know where to bring in that one fielder inside in the last ten overs when the batsmen are intent going for the bowlers. That’s one area where we have to work on. We have to see how to use that channel to put pressure on the opposition,” he said.

The India captain said it was time to come up with innovative ways to use a bowler differently.

“Hopefully, we can see how we can use different bowlers to the best of our ability to restrict the opposition and not give away those extra 20 runs,” he said.

Dhoni said Australia bat deep and that can prove expensive for the Indian bowlers.

“Australia have good batting depth and can bat up to number nine. That’s their strength and that is why in the Twenty20 game, they were not too concerned about losing wickets and adopted an aggressive approach. They wanted to increase the pace. That’s one of the reasons why our bowlers proved a bit expensive.

“They have got quite a few bowlers who can bat and batsmen who can bowl. If somebody is having a tough time there are others to fill in. They are a very good side with a general approach that is aggressive whether batting first or chasing,” Dhoni said.

Asked about the track, Dhoni said: “The wicket has a fair cover of grass but at the same time it’s a bit patchy. I think it will be two-paced. We have seen on this wicket generally there is a bit of low bounce.

“Depending on where you bat your approach changes, batting at no.1 is different from batting at 5 or 6 where many a time you don’t get to bat. When you are opening you know if the game is happening you will get to bat. That way you can be better prepared.”