Zaheer Khan

Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said that his team will be at their best when they face defending champions Australia in the knock out stage in the quarter finals. Dhoni urged his players to be at their best when they face the Aussies. He also was wary about Australia’s strength and how expressive they are in the field. He said that his side is up to the challenge and will be preparing for it.

India’s fortunes got revived when the West Indies suffered a spectacular collapse from 154 for 2 to 188 and thus enabling them to cruise to a whooping 80-run victory in the concluding group match.

Dhoni praised strike bowler Zaheer Khan, who’s three wickets included the key dismissal of opener Devon Smith who had made 81 when he was clean-bowled, a wicket which precipitated the West Indies collapse.

Dhoni said it was Zaheer Khan who aided to put pressure on both sides by picking up the key wicket – Devon Smith. Devon Smith had scored 81 runs before he was clean bowled and from then on West Indies did it even worser than what India did – losing 8 wickets for 33 runs. Earlier India had lost 6 wickets for the last 36 runs.

While India will tackle Australia in Ahmedabad on Thursday, the West Indies take on in-form Pakistan in Dhaka on Wednesday in the opening quarter-final tie.

Zaheer Khan lauded India’s tactics of throwing the new ball to Ashwin and added that the team was aware that the new ball would come on to the bat while the old ball would reverse later in the innings. Zaheer Khan finished with figures 6-0-26-3.

Meanwhile Yuvraj revealed how he had a stomach cramp early in the morning and it doubled up when he took up the field. He said he put these things aside and was concerned about the team and their victory. Yuvraj Singh was adjudged man of the match for his 113 runs and 2-18 with the ball.

Tags: Ahmedabad, Australia, Cricket, India, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, West Indies, World Cup, Zaheer Khan