How are the Royals placed ahead of the Feb 12 auction?
Things have shaped up well. We've done well to retain five key players. There was good spirit, energy in our group the last couple of seasons. Retaining these five, who understand and identify our culture was important. Our fans too indentify with them. From here, it is about 'supplementing,' and building a good squad. We want to maintain our culture, and the five boys we retained represent why that culture was so good. It is great to have them back.
With some stars up for grabs, will the Royals dig deeper in their pocket?
You go into any auction according to what you need and what your strengths are. Everyone, including us, will want marquee players. However, the auction dynamics are unique. It is very hard to plan anything. You've got to be quick on your feet, and make decisions fast. You've to play it 'by the ear.' It's also about what price do the players come at, and what stage of the draw they come at.
Your new role as a mentor of the team will be a new area for you...
It's very interesting. It's different no doubt. Earlier, as the captain, I was focusing on the cricketing side, and my own performance. Now, it is more about tactics, strategy. My work began with retentions, and now there is the auction. We've retained most of our support staff. My role (as a mentor) is managing that and working with the shareholders and the franchise to try and put together a good team.
One of the challenges will be to make the team forget about last year's spot-fixing controversy...
It will be. We've put things in place since last year. The IPL and the BCCI has its own process in place. The Rajasthan Royals have made a comitment to put their own process in place, so that things like that aren't repeated. We've got to be vigilant. In the world that we live in, we can never take anything for granted. We'll be doing our best. At the end of the day, we can put a structure in place so that such things don't happen again.
Ajinkya Rahane did well in the Tests in South Africa, but failed in New Zealand...
He's a good player. The real challenge for these youngsters, who are all exciting, is consistency. Virat seems to have cracked it..... the others need to string in consistent performances and establish themselves. The last thing you want is for them to always be under pressure, because it can weigh them down. Consistency will give them confidence, which I think is very important.
Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina have struggled to cope with the short ball...
The challenge both of them are facing is that sometimes they're chasing pretty high scores. When you're playing the short ball, and chasing a high score, you have to take it on all the time. When Suresh comes in, the required run rate is around eight. He can't be leaving and ducking the short ball at that time. He's got to go at everything. That's tough. I'm sure the Indian batsmen will play the short ball better in the Tests.
Was it fair to dump Dhawan and Raina in the last game?
It is a squad of 15, and you've to identify who your players are. I wouldn't write off Suresh and Shikhar, especially with the World Cup so close. At the same time, you've to recognize that it's not a bad thing to give others an opportunity, and not make them sit on the bench all the time. You've to see where you are at, and mix and match a bit, to see how others play different roles.
Dhoni blamed his bowlers openly after the Hamilton loss...
I won't say he blamed them. To say that he was 'disappointed' would be better. It's a young, inexperienced bowling attack. It's a challenge for Duncan Fletcher (coach) and Dhoni to identify individuals who can be trusted with roles given to them. At the moment, the area they're really struggling is in the 'death.' India don't seem to have one guy whom Dhoni can turn to and know he will deliver the goods, which is tough for him as a captain. If he looks around the field, and if he isn't sure who he can go to, his 'banker' so to speak, it does become difficult. They (India's bowlers) are skilled and talented, but they haven't been able to execute those skills under pressure, as much as the team management would have wanted.
Should Zaheer Khan to be recalled in the ODI side?
It is a question of managing his body. Someone of his skill and experience can add a value to a side. The question is: whether he can handle the load of playing all forms of the game and how long can he do that? I've no doubt that if India haven't settled their fast bowling issues by the World Cup, and if Zaheer is fit and bowling well at that point, he'll come into consideration. However, if he plays every game till the WC, will he survive till then? So from Zaheer & Indian cricket's point of view, it may not be a bad idea to try out others. If the problem isn't solved closer to WC, you know you have his option.
Was it fair to give Stuart Binny just one over, and not sending him to bat, in the fourth ODI?
In your first game, it can happen. It was a one off match. We've seen with someone like Rohit Sharma, that once Dhoni picks up a player, he backs him for a long time. I'm hoping he'd do the same with Binny, because he can play a huge role. He is terrific in maximizing the last 10-15 overs. He offers a good bowling option as well.
Why are we playing badly outside the subcontinent again?
We had a very good 2013, in which we won the Champions Trophy. The ODI team has been playing very good cricket, it's just that we've lost on the last couple of tours. The batting is pretty good, and we're consistently scoring 260-270. The problem is, a couple of guys have lost form and rhythm. Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav, whom you thought would step up and guide the younger bowlers, are not at their best. It will be challenge to get them bowling well again. Umesh and Ishant have to take the responsibility rather than leaving it on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami Ahmed, who are just coming through. However, it could all change quickly if we get a couple of bowlers back in form. It is just a question of getting our bowling combo right.
R Ashwin too has struggled abroad...
Ashwin has been phenomenal for the last three-four years. He has set such high standards, that he is now probably a victim of them! In Tests, his record so far is incredible. In the ODIs, he bowled beautifully. A lot of times he's bowling in the Powerplays, which is not easy. He is forced to be defensive. He is bowling in the Powerplays because Dhoni doesn't have confidence on his seamers at that stage. It is forcing the skipper to bowl his spinners in difficult situations. It has forced Ashwin to change his bowling a bit. With field restrictions on, he cannot attack any more. It is affecting him a bit. He'd also be hoping that the seamers step up, which would help him bowl when things are easier. The fielders are back, and he can toss it up a bit. I still think he's of great value.
Does Pujara deserve a place in the ODIs?
He's got the skils and ability to cope with and play in the ODIs. I won't want to write him off as an ODI player, especially with the World Cup coming up in Australia. I would encourage the selectors to give him some opportunities, because his record in domestic cricket are phenomenal.
Who's the No 1 fast bowler in world cricket-Dale Steyn or Mitchell Johnson?
Since the last three months, Johnson has bowled better, but if you look at a career, Steyn has been phenomenal-No1 for a long time. It is unfair to compare them. Steyn is older than Johnson, is extremely skilled and a terrific bowler. It will be interesting to see both have a go at each other head to head in SA.
Will India play better in Tests in New Zealand?
I think so. In South Africa, India were unlucky not to win the first Test, and one bad session in the second Test cost them the series. I was impressed with the way India batted in SA. I'm expecting a similar show in NZ.
With the way things are going, do you think India's World Cup crown looks under threat Down Under?
Like I said earlier, it can all change if two-three bowlers get their rhythm right. That's the key. Can we get core group of three-four fast bowlers bowling well? I'm not so concerned about our batting, give and take a little bit we can find a decent combination. We have good people sitting on the bench in Pujara and Gautam Gambhir. So there are options in batting. In the bowling...it can quickly change if two-three bowlers step up. That's the big challenge for Indian cricket over the next year or so for the coaching and management staff. If they don't get it right, surely there's a problem.
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