Dhoni in confident mood

MS Dhoni feels India's players will benefit from their vast experience of Twenty20 cricket in the IPL, which ended last week

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes he will be leading a side most suited to the 20-over format when they begin their defence of the World Twenty20 in England.

Defending champions India left for England this morning confident of returning with the trophy they won in the inaugural edition of the tournament in South Africa in 2007.

Dhoni believes his side has the most potential and has demanded that his players deliver on it.

“We are a side which really suits the T20 format,” Dhoni said.

“We have specialist bowlers and the best part is we have part-timers who have bowled really well for their respective franchisees in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“They give us plenty of options and in this format they would be crucial because you have to keep changing your game plan.

“I’m happy with the kind of side I’ve got and the kind of potential there is in this side.

“In this format it’s also important that you play consistently well right through because things can change very quickly.

“No team can be taken for granted. Any team can win and even beat the best of sides. It demands that you play to your full potential.”

India are grouped alongside Bangladesh and Ireland in Group A and are favourites to advance to the Super Eights stage.

Dhoni dismissed suggestions that carrying the defending champions tag would add extra pressure on the team.

“There is no pressure on (because we are the T20 world champions),” he said.

“In this aspect the IPL has really helped because we have played more T20 games than most other players. We have the experience and the players are exposed to different scenarios while playing for their IPL teams.

“At some time or the other in the tournament, most of our players have been put under tremendous pressure. It has helped the youngsters in handling the pressure and in the T20 game its all about handling tight situations.”

The Indian team has been on the road for more than four months now, plunging straight into the IPL in South Africa immediately after a full tour of New Zealand.

India are among the favourites for the World Twenty20 after claiming victory in the inaugural tournament in South Africa

But Dhoni does not think fatigue will be a problem in the World Twenty20.

“Fatigue is part of being an international cricketer and as a member of the national team you learn to handle the fatigue,” he said.

“In our country you have the kind of weather which allows you to play throughout the year.

“You get used to the constant travel and the number of games you have to play. Players learn to handle their bodies and are really aware of what needs to be done when they are not playing.

“It actually sharpens their awareness of what they actually need to do to play at this level for a longer period of time.”

A packed calendar had also left no time for a preparation camp, but Dhoni did not think it was important.

“I don’t think it’s really important to have a camp, especially when you are playing cricket throughout the year,” he said.

“We have two practice games and if we practice for another three or four sessions that would be adequate.

“As for regrouping, we are a team which has played together for some time now and I don’t see that would be a problem.”

Fast bowler Zaheer Khan’s fitness has been a matter of concern and media reports even suggested that a shoulder injury sustained during the IPL would even cost the left-arm paceman his place in the side.

Zaheer, who left with the rest of the team this morning, has not played since May 3 when he injured his shoulder while fielding, but Dhoni expected him to be fit in time for the tournament.

“I’ve been told that Zaheer will be fit by June 2 or 3. He isn’t 100% fit at the moment, but we hope he will be by the time the tournament starts,” Dhoni said.

“But we haven’t yet decided on who will open the bowling. We have quite a few options so I’m not really worried about our opening combinations with either batting or bowling.

“What is important is that we play to our potential.”