We will overcome

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni says he is satisfied with the team's performance in the shorter formats and, with time, it will translate into Tests as well.

Reacting to Sunil Gavaskar's comments that the Indian Test team looks the most vulnerable in three decades, Dhoni said yesterday that "on paper it might look the weakest" but he was confident that the team will only improve with time.

Indian players look dejected after the Test series loss to Australia earlier this year. Pic/Getty Images

"On paper it may look the weakest. It is a different looking team after the retirement of Rahul bhai (Dravid) and VVS Laxman. But we are also a very different side on the field. Slowly we are growing in confidence and I am hopeful that this team will only improve with time," said Dhoni during a promotional event here yesterday.

Dhoni said the team was looking forward to the hectic six months ahead during which India host England, Pakistan and Australia. The four-match Test series against England starts November 15.

"The team has a busy time ahead with the home series against England, Pakistan Australia. We will try our best against England. We will try to do good and focus on the specifics.

"We need to be fit for the gruelling time ahead. The side is doing well in the one-day format and it will take some time to get back to the top of Test cricket," said Dhoni.

Endorsing the view of his teammates Virat Kohli and Harbhajan Singh on preparing turning tracks at home, Dhoni said he was looking forward to see spinners ruling the roost in the four-match Test series against England. - IANS

‘Yuvraj is the best judge of his fitness'
MS Dhoni said that Yuvraj Singh, who has made a comeback after battling cancer, is the best judge of his fitness and it should be left to him to decide whether he is fit enough for Test matches. "I feel Yuvi is the best judge of his fitness. It should be best left to him to decide if he can survive the grind of Test cricket," he said.