England can expect a far more aggressive Dhoni

Alastair Cook & Co can expect to see a far more aggressive Mahendra Singh Dhoni in next month's five-match Test series against England

Alastair Cook & Co can expect to see a far more aggressive Mahendra Singh Dhoni in next month's five-match Test series against England.


Skipper MS Dhoni during a media conference before leaving for England tour. Pic/Satyajit Desai 

Dhoni told reporters at a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai on Saturday that he intends to go for his shots from the first ball. "I need to be far more aggressive.

When I am aggressive, I am far better than when I try to play like a proper batsman. I intend to go for my shots from the first ball. I have to back my instincts.

It is very important that I back my strength, play aggressive strokes and score runs rather than taking my time out," Dhoni said.

The India captain's best batting effort on the last Test of England in 2011 was 77 and 74 not out in the third and penultimate Test at Birmingham where India lost by an innings and 242 runs.

India play two warm-up games (vs Leicestershire on June 26 and vs Derbyshire on July 1) before going into the first Test at Trent Bridge on July 9. He welcomed an early departure.

"For quite a few players it's a first tour to England, but they've have had exposure in South Africa and New Zealand. It's good we are going early so that we can get into the groove.

It's a long series and not very usual to play five-Test match series. We have got enough time to prepare," he said.

The last time India played a five-match Test series in England was in 1959, losing all five Tests.

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