Skipper Dhoni lauds team for turnaround

KOLKATA — Mahendra Singh Dhoni hailed India as cricket’s bounceback king after it again followed up an early defeat in a major tournament with an emphatic win and kickstarted its bid for World Twenty20 glory. After its shock defeat Tuesday to New Zealand in its first match, the host cruised to a six-wicket victory over archrival Pakistan in Kolkata late Saturday. The defeat against New Zealand had put a question mark over India’s status as red-hot favorite and triggered accusations of complacency. But in a cauldron-like atmosphere of a packed Eden Gardens, Dhoni’s men held their nerve and reached the target of 119 with 13 balls remaining. The bounceback from the humiliating 47-run reverse against the Kiwis came as no surprise to veteran skipper Dhoni who was captain when India won the inaugural World T20 in 2007 and the 2011 ODI World Cup after stuttering starts to their campaign. India’s prospects looked grim in 2011 after its first two matches against a traditional powerhouse included a tie with England followed by defeat to South Africa. India also got off to a slow start in 2007 when it tied with Pakistan before winning a bowl-out and then lost to New Zealand. “If you see we have been in this position many times. We know how to turn it around,” Dhoni told reporters at Eden Gardens. The man known as “Captain Cool” pointed out that India followed up its defeat in a 2014 Test series against England with victory in the ODIs and an otherwise poor recent tour of Australia ended with India beating its host 3-0 in the T20s. “To have a very bad game or a very bad series and to come back strong, it’s the kind of character the boys have. “And I feel it’s very important to back them and have confidence in them that they will bounce back and will come back strong.” Dhoni hit the winning runs at the finale in Kolkata where he played second fiddle to batting maestro Virat Kohli. Kohli appeared supremely calm during his unbeaten knock of 55, which was more than double the next highest score by a batsman on either side. Indian newspapers hailed Kohli’s “masterclass,” with The Times of India saying he “appeared to be batting in a different zone.” — AFP