MS Dhoni ahead of a training session.
While Virat Kohli was handed the captaincy job for the opening Test, MS Dhoni will be back to lead India when the tourists take on Australia in the second Test at the Gabba. Returning after a long break, the Indian skipper, who has recovered from a thumb injury, said the time off cricket has done him a lot of good and he is looking forward to the Brisbane Test. Dhoni also said he was impressed with the way Kohli led in Adelaide and mentioned that India will continue their aggressive approach.
Speaking ahead of the second game, Dhoni said: "This rest was very important for me. I got the thumb injury while playing in England and I played on because sometimes, these injuries settle as you keep playing. But that wasn't the case this time and the right hand thumb only got worse with more batting. It was an important call for me because this is an important series and then there is the World Cup. So, I wanted 20-25 days at a stretch which I got. It was good for me because I got some time to work on my fitness as well."
Virat Kohli, who was the stand-in captain for the Adelaide Test, led India impressively and was the star player for the visiting side as he scored hundreds in both innings. India went out with an aggressive approach, although they fell agonizingly short of the target in the second innings. Dhoni, who watched from the sidelines, was pleased with the way his deputy led in his absence and termed his approach "fantastic".
"He has been fantastic, not only as a captain but also as a leader, even in the ODIs that he has led in. He is an aggressive character and is slightly different to what I am. What he did throughout the Test was great and especially his approach towards his own batting was fantastic. He had a lean series in England and it was good to see the way he prepared for this series and then the way he went out there and batted."
"He kept mixing it up. He wasn't attacking over the top. He gave in-and-out field to Karn at times and when he felt he could put the pressure on the batsmen, he brought in the fielders close. That is how cricket is played now you have to see the momentum and decide when to attack or back off slightly. He did fantastically well in that regards," Dhoni added.
Chasing 364 on the final day in Adelaide, the Indian batsmen went out with a positive intent, as instructed by Kohli. His decision received Dhoni's approval and the Indian captain called it the right approach. Dhoni also said India will go into the second Test with the same aggressive attitude.
"I thought it was the right approach that we went for the target. With the partnership (between Vijay and Virat), we were in a position to chase down the target. Unfortunately Vijay got out and we lost a few more wickets. From there it would have been very difficult to play for a draw and the only right approach was to go for the win. Our approach will remain the same in the coming Tests."
Unlike the Australians, who have announced the eleven for the second Test, Dhoni is keeping things close to his chest, although he hinted that there is a possibility of R Ashwin playing. He also indicated that India could go in with five bowlers, which means that Rohit Sharma could miss out.
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