Dhoni wants more intensity from India

India skipper MS Dhoni wants his side to be more combative in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Despite a stunning, 38-run-win against defending champions Australia in a warm-up game in Bengaluru on Sunday, Dhoni was far from satisfied with India's performance. 

The batsmen failed to counter a fast and furious Brett Lee while comeback man Jason Krejza troubled the lower order with his guile and spin.

"Of course we did not have a very good game against Australia," Dhoni said.

"We needed a partnership but that did not happen and we could not score big."

India looked down for the count before Yusuf Pathan and R Ashwin stitched a solid partnership to help India post a total in excess of 200.

"The lower-order helped and added some 45-odd runs. But at 214 we did not have a par score on the board. We want to score more runs in the warm-up and try various bowling options.

"We need to pick up intensity as we progress into the ICC CWC."

Defending a modest total, India's spinners came to the party as Piyush Chawla (4/31) and Harbhajan Singh (3/15) ripped through the Aussie middle order. Dhoni, without doubt, was pleased with the way his bowlers stood up to the challenge.

"We have a very good side," said Dhoni. "That is what I have said always. I don't believe in comparisons. We have a mix of players who are very good.

However, the wicketkeeper batsman wanted his side to translate the talent on the field.

"But obviously what we have on paper is not important; it is what we do on the field which matters. We need to see what the conditions are and pick our best eleven accordingly."

Dhoni said pace spearhead Zaheer Khan would be rested from Wednesday's match to allow him time to recover from a groin injury.

"As I have already said it is a very mild groin strain and there is nothing to worry about. It is just that we can give him rest and that is one of the reasons why we are providing him rest. We will play him in ICC Cricket World Cup matches," he said.

India's ICC Cricket World Cup opener is against the tricky Bangladesh. Dhoni said a lot would depend on how the wicket behaves in the match.

"As for conditions, the wicket's behaviour will depend on how it has been prepared. That will be one basic difference.

We have to see whether the dew factor will be there or not," he explained.

"Last time when we toured Bangladesh in January, there was lot of dew. But now it is close to February. We have to see whether dew will be there. Accordingly we have to pick our best 11," Dhoni said.

The pitch in Bengaluru has been criticised as "under-prepared" by Australia and South Africa but Dhoni said it was natural for foreign teams feel a bit ill at ease with spinning tracks in India.

"There was no criticism about the wicket. When you play abroad there is bound to be a bit of pace and bouncy movement.

"Turn is quite natural to Indian pitches. That's the big challenge once you come to India. As far this wicket in Chennai, I had a look at it. It is quite damp right now. So I can't predict how it will behave.

"We have to see before the start of the game. We will be a bit cautious as far as using players. We won't overuse any one. Of course, most of the spinners, part-timers and batsmen look 100 per cent fit. That will definitely feature in the guys who will be playing and who will be bowling their full quota of overs," he said.

Dhoni described New Zealand as a side which relies on collective performances.

"New Zealand have always been a very contributive side and they always don't depend on any one particular batsman or one particular bowler to win the game. What they need is that everyone to contribute. They are a very talented side," he said.