Chennai, July 17: After a refreshing break, the Indian team assembled in Chennai for training and regrouping ahead of the new season, which begins with the tour to Sri Lanka. The two teams will be playing five ODIs and one T20I between July 21 and August 7.

Before heading to the Emerald Isles, India skipper MS Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher addressed the media about the team’s preparation and the season ahead.

Excerpts from the press conference:

MS Dhoni:

On the long break before the new season

We really enjoyed the break. It is the first [big] break that we have got [in a long time]. In 2004 December, I started playing for the country. The longest break we got before this was when we lost the 2007 50-over World Cup, so we don’t really have fond memories of that break. But yes, I think this was necessary. Most players have come back with bodies that look very different, the feeling is really different; you have to make the most of the break you have got. In the last few days since we have assembled here, we have practiced hard and had fairly long sessions. We have had very specific sessions so we look quite prepared for the series.

On the necessity of a yearly break

We have to see [how feasible is it]. […] Every year to get one-and-a-half months off would be difficult. But I think till next year there [is] a bit of a gap between series so that’s a good sign for us. A break between the seasons helps but I don’t think we will always get one-and-a-half months’ break. That’s the longest break that we have got in the last five years! [...].

On the series against Pakistan

As professional cricketers, we are taught to not get into the emotional side [of things]. The series has been placed and we have to get ready for the series [...].

As I said, we will be ready for it. We are not the persons to decide [whether a series will be conducted] but now that the series has been declared, we are supposed to be prepared for it because the country’s name is at stake. As a professional cricketer, that is what we are supposed to do – go on the field and try to win every game. If it is against Pakistan it is especially tough but that is what we are supposed to do.

On the training the team has undergone before the Sri Lanka tour

[The idea is] not to make it complex. We have received specific training related to the nets. Strategies have been planned and it rotates around that. I wouldn’t really like to elaborate too much about what exactly we are practicing but it is important that we improve in certain areas. We have been practicing so that we improve in each and every department. The emphasis has been on fielding. Though it was quite humid out here, we had long sessions. At the same time, the players had specific fielding drills. We were working on all three departments.

On having a good record in past series in Sri Lanka

We have to maintain that. It is not about how we have done in the past. We will be playing at different venues and we have to travel in between series, so I think it is important to be at our best. It is the start of the season for us so we want to start it on a good note and that’s what we are looking for.

On the Sri Lankan conditions

Sri Lanka is not a new place for us. In the last five years, we have gone almost every year, if not twice a year, so I don’t think that the conditions are very different [from past tours]. They are not very different [conditions] from India. Certain things change, but the pattern of cricket that gets played and everything [else] remains the same. The good aspect is that most of the players who are part of the side, or who will be part of the T20 side, have played lots of cricket matches in Sri Lanka. I don’t think getting used to the conditions will be a big problem for us.

On the role of the captain

The captain has a role but if, for example, you give the best captain say a team from Alaska and expect him to win the World Cup, then that is difficult. I have always said that the captain channelises the resources. But at the end of the day, it also depends on how the individual reacts to the responsibility of batting or bowling or building partnerships. If you don’t have a good team, it is very difficult to be successful.

Duncan Fletcher:

On the errors of the previous season and where the changes need to be made

[...] That was a very difficult season. We were out of India for three or four major tours which is a big ask for any country that is touring. But we have had a chat, I have spoken to MS a few times, I came over here for the IPL final. I have spoken to the officials within the BCCI and we sat and discussed it. I don’t think that’s what we want to discuss in this sort of forum but we have had some chats. We have hopefully got some plans that will turn things around – we look to the players now [...] There seems to be a very good team spirit at the moment coming back from a break like that. There is a lot of intensity in what they are doing and hopefully they can maintain that and turn the results around.

On the areas to work on

[...] As a cricketer you have to work on every area. It is very important leading up to that World Cup that when we are in Sri Lanka, players get a good feel of Sri Lanka. We will back here three or four weeks later so it’s important that all aspects of the game are worked on.

On whether the team has warmed up to him and how he has adjusted as coach

It is very difficult for me to say. You have to speak to the Indian cricketers and the captain. [...] I really feel I have got a good response from him. Everyone seems to enjoy the inputs that I have put into the side. I have enjoyed working with them. They are very responsive and they are keen to learn and once that happens, usually there is a chance that you can try and help them. I have really enjoyed it and got on very well at the moment.

On the last year and looking forward to changing things around

I had a couple of meetings with the President [of BCCI] when I was here for the [IPL] final and I had another one this morning with the President and from my point of view, I think it went very well. I don’t think we can debate those issues in this forum. I think we had a good chat for about an hour-and-a-half and hopefully, from my point of view, everyone has accepted certain views and we will just have to see what happens in the future.