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Beating India in India is difficult: Pietersen
England captain Kevin Pietersen admitted that beating India at home is a tough proposition but insisted that his team was capable of stunning India.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: November 07, 2008 03:31 PM IST
Read Time:2 min
Mumbai:
"The series is going to be difficult. The Indian cricket team led by MS Dhoni is looking fantastic. It is going to be a hard game for us," Peitersen said at a press conference after the English team arrived for the seven-match series starting November 14.
"Beating India is going to be tough....The wickets are flat, the ball swings, the ground conditions are different.. We drew the Test series and got smashed in the One-dayers last time. But we are looking to improve," he added.
The English skipper also lauded the performances of senior Indian team members like Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman in the ongoing Test series against Australia. "Players like Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman are doing well for India, I wish them well," he said.
On Flintoff's inspired return, Pietersen said, "He was injured and when he came he was firing. When you miss something you love for 18 months, it is very hard to come back. You want to perform and you have the newness and energy."
"It is not fair to say that I did anything in terms of Flintoff coming back, he is a marvelous player and did well before as a captain," Pietersen said.
"We are trying to get fast bowler Steve Harmison back in the squad," Pietersen added.
"He (Steve) had a fantastic season, though he missed playing international cricket. Once he comes back he is going to be best bowler," Pietersen said.
Peitersen said he was excited to head the team. "I think my approach about the captaincy is just its newness and it is like a fresh start for me," Peitersen said. "The boys have done very well with the new regime, the new set up and the structure. The boys don't have to worry about anything we are their to support and back them, we want them to perform well," he added.
When asked whether captaincy was an added pressure, Pietersen said, "I try not to be under pressure. I have certain ways of dealing with pressure."
The English team arrived on Thursday, to play seven One-day matches and two Tests, beginning November 14.
England captain Kevin Pietersen on Friday admitted that beating India at home is a difficult proposition but insisted that with talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff back in the fold, his team was capable of stunning MS Dhoni's men in the upcoming ODI series."The series is going to be difficult. The Indian cricket team led by MS Dhoni is looking fantastic. It is going to be a hard game for us," Peitersen said at a press conference after the English team arrived for the seven-match series starting November 14.
"Beating India is going to be tough....The wickets are flat, the ball swings, the ground conditions are different.. We drew the Test series and got smashed in the One-dayers last time. But we are looking to improve," he added.
The English skipper also lauded the performances of senior Indian team members like Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman in the ongoing Test series against Australia. "Players like Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman are doing well for India, I wish them well," he said.
On Flintoff's inspired return, Pietersen said, "He was injured and when he came he was firing. When you miss something you love for 18 months, it is very hard to come back. You want to perform and you have the newness and energy."
"It is not fair to say that I did anything in terms of Flintoff coming back, he is a marvelous player and did well before as a captain," Pietersen said.
"We are trying to get fast bowler Steve Harmison back in the squad," Pietersen added.
"He (Steve) had a fantastic season, though he missed playing international cricket. Once he comes back he is going to be best bowler," Pietersen said.
Peitersen said he was excited to head the team. "I think my approach about the captaincy is just its newness and it is like a fresh start for me," Peitersen said. "The boys have done very well with the new regime, the new set up and the structure. The boys don't have to worry about anything we are their to support and back them, we want them to perform well," he added.
When asked whether captaincy was an added pressure, Pietersen said, "I try not to be under pressure. I have certain ways of dealing with pressure."
The English team arrived on Thursday, to play seven One-day matches and two Tests, beginning November 14.
Topics mentioned in this article
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