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Dhoni 'wary' of dew factor, could bowl first

March 27, 2016 12:10 IST

India’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has revealed his plans ahead of the must-win clash against old foes Australia in the semi-final of 2016 World T20 at Mohali on Sunday.

The Indian skipper is wary of the ‘dew factor’ at Mohali and considering his strength being spinners, said that he will want to bowl first and aid Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to grip the ball better.

"Any time after 7pm, you have to be careful of the dew factor,” Dhoni said in an interview to host broadcaster Star Sports.

"Spin is our strength so if we know that there will be a considerable amount of dew on the field, (we) like to bowl first. It’s not a fixed thing, but it’s something we like to do.

IMAGE: Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

"Our strength is that we have (good) spinners and you lose that to some extent (when bowling second). 

"(I like to) give that opportunity to the spinners to bowl first when the dew is slightly less compared to the second innings.

"And this team has shown that it can chase just as well as it can (set a total)," he said. 

India face Australia on Sunday, in what is effectively a quarter-final, with the winner to take on the West Indies in a semi-final and the loser knocked out.