ID :
171648
Tue, 03/29/2011 - 16:48
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/171648
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Sports Cricket World Cup: Lack of runs doesn’t both Indian captain Dhoni
Mohali, March 29, 2011 (PPI): India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni insists his own form is not a concern heading into cricket World Cup semi-final against Pakistan on Wednesday in Mohali.
His returns with the bat at this World Cup amount to just 125 runs from seven innings at 31.25 with a best of 34. Dhoni insisted he was not being distracted by outside influences.
The semi-final is being seen by observers as a way to start improving ties between India and Pakistan. But Dhoni was adamant his team would just concentrate on job at hand. "It depends on what you mean by hype, media, sponsors, politicians - we are not getting involved. We are expected to play good cricket. The biggest, distinguished guests will be there to see the game, but they are here to enjoy cricket, so we have to be at our best."
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani are both set to be among a capacity crowd on Wednesday. "That will be a distraction if looking forward to that, that's the role I have been handed," Dhoni said. "At the end one team will have lost and one will be going into the final. That's part and parcel of sport, every sport.”
His returns with the bat at this World Cup amount to just 125 runs from seven innings at 31.25 with a best of 34. Dhoni insisted he was not being distracted by outside influences.
The semi-final is being seen by observers as a way to start improving ties between India and Pakistan. But Dhoni was adamant his team would just concentrate on job at hand. "It depends on what you mean by hype, media, sponsors, politicians - we are not getting involved. We are expected to play good cricket. The biggest, distinguished guests will be there to see the game, but they are here to enjoy cricket, so we have to be at our best."
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani are both set to be among a capacity crowd on Wednesday. "That will be a distraction if looking forward to that, that's the role I have been handed," Dhoni said. "At the end one team will have lost and one will be going into the final. That's part and parcel of sport, every sport.”
