India’s limited over captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said that a player can’t be judged for the longer format of cricket through IPL (Indian Premier League) performance.
Dhoni admitted that the IPL can find talents but the domestic circuit performance can establish players’ exact ability for international cricket, specially for Test and ODI formats.
Dhoni said, “I have always said IPL is a platform where you found out the talent. After that, you follow them in domestic circuit and see how well they are performing. In IPL, you can get away with a lot of things. But to select proper Test or 50-over cricketers on IPL performance, I don’t think would be right,”
Dhoni will be leading the newly formed franchise team Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in 2016 IPL, which is scheduled to start from 9th April to 29th May. He spoke about the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s International Stadium, Pune which is the home ground of RPS.
The 34-years old wicketkeeper-batsman said, “The wicket here is a bit more settled now. It’s not a very big ground, it’s a decent-sized ground and the straight boundaries are not very long. Though it’s a bit away from the city, the crowds come in big numbers and are also very supportive.”
Dhoni also revealed another reason for his liking the venue. “It has been a special ground. I am fond of dogs and there are a lot of dogs at this ground,” he said, referring to the two dozen dogs of the different breed that are housed inside the stadium structure.
Dhoni also liked to visit the city due to the headquarters of Indian Army’s Southern Command and also has an Indian Air Force base station. Dhoni said, “And when you come here you also have the opportunity to see fighter planes. There is more to do here than playing cricket. These are good attractions. The crowd also supports you well.”