India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes even the intensity of a Cricket World Cup Final against Sri Lanka won’t be able to top the pressure his side felt in their semi-final victory over Pakistan, a victory that was built on team-unity and togetherness.
Pakistan appeared to be suffering the nerves of the occasion more than their hosts as errors in the field contributed to India posting a less than unconvincing score of 260 that Pakistan were nonetheless always struggling to chase down under lights.
However, India still required a steady calm in the broiling atmosphere of Mohali and Dhoni praised his side for handling the expectation of over a billion people.
“I think of the pressure like I do fast bowling,” Dhoni said.
“Once it goes past 150kph you don’t notice whether he is bowling 155 or 160. Before the finals the pressure won’t grow now, it will be static and hopefully that will really help us.”
He might have cause to revise that opinion when Saturday and Sri Lanka come round, but the captain insists that the tension of facing Pakistan will only help them in the final.
“The format has really helped us because we have had quite a few games where we have really been tested, and now we are getting into a groove” he said.
“Sri Lanka are a very good side, they have done really well, but we have been tested more often than not in the games that we have played.
“We have also had individuals who have stepped up and said ‘I will be the person in this particular game’, but overall everybody has contributed in bits and pieces. And if somebody is having a bad time on the field we make sure that he still feels wanted.
“Everybody is helping each other and that’s what really counts in team sport, you want everyone to be at their best, you want all 15 guys to be in a very good space mentally.”
Dhoni did confess to slightly misreading the Mohali pitch but claimed his side were smart enough to react when wickets fell. And grateful to the steady presence of Sachin Tendulkar to anchor an innings that proved enough.
“The wicket got slower as the game progressed, that’s why the new-ball game was very different,” he said.
“After losing two wickets, what was important was to bat 50 overs. In big games you shouldn’t always look to score 300 runs. You see the wicket is behaving in a different way and readjust your target.
“When he [Tendulkar] is there he makes it easy for the others to score with him, because he guides them really well.
“When you are batting with him you know this is a wicket where 260, 270 runs can be enough, because he judges things so well. He really guides the young guys.”
Tendulkar, who has the tantalising prospect of finally reaching his 100th hundred in international cricket in a final on home soil, is grateful for such home comforts.
“Going back to Mumbai for this event is a wonderful occasion. I just hope we can get the job done,” he said.
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh admitted that he had felt the pressure of the occasion against Pakistan but that the result was the right one.
“Obviously this was like a final – when Pakistan play the pressure is double. Today was a big match not just for us but for the Pakistani team,” he said.
“We fielded very well and deserved the win.
“We played some good cricket and we are very happy and excited to be going to Mumbai for the final. Thanks to everyone for supporting us and giving us the blessing to win this important game.”
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